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You are currently in: Winter service

Key contacts

Essex traffic control centre (Monday to Friday 7am - 7pm)

Telephone: 0845 600 0110

0845 calls to Essex County Council are charged at BT landline standard rate. Please check with your provider as other tariffs may vary.

Gritting the roads



Map of gritted roads 

To check if your road will be gritted, see our map of gritted roads.    

The gritting network

The gritting network covers around 1,900 miles/3,032km. This equates to approximately 40% of the highway network in Essex. It includes: 
  • A roads (*excluding the A12, A120 and A130)
  • B roads
  • Primary roads which link rural parishes (of over 50 houses) to the gritting network
  • Roads served by at least four public bus services a day for five days a week or more
  • Roads linking sites of national importance (e.g. airports, ports and fuel refineries) to the gritting network
  • Roads which allow emergency service stations access to the gritting network

*Motorways and major trunk roads, such as the M25, M11, A12 and A120, are under the control of the Highways Agency. Tel: 0300 123 5000.


The A130 Chelmsford to Benfleet route is managed by County Route. Tel: 0845 3511130.

Routes we do not grit

Excluding exceptional circumstances, we do not grit:

  • Minor roads or pavements in residential areas
  • Low-use footways and cycle tracks

This is to ensure that our salt stocks and manpower are focused on keeping the major routes clear and to deliver a consistent service across the county.

Furthermore, we do not treat areas that are not part of the public highway, such as car parks and parks. However, these may be treated by your local district, borough, parish or town council. Please contact them directly if you have a question regarding these areas.