Brighton & Hove Council Gears Up for Winter 2026/27 with Gritting Services

City's winter service will operate 24/7 from November 1st, with 300 tonnes of grit ready and priority routes identified for treatment.

Generic image of a gritting vehicle parked in a depot.
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Generic image of a gritting vehicle parked in a depot.

Brighton & Hove City Council's winter service is prepared for the 2026/27 season, with gritting teams and vehicles ready to operate 24/7 from November 1st to ensure safe travel.

The Planning Register and Licensing Register will be unavailable from midday on Thursday, 29 October 2026, to Friday, 30 October 2026, at 5pm, due to essential maintenance.
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, Brighton & Hove's gritting teams are prepared for the 2026/27 season. The winter service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with crews and three gritters on standby until the end of March 2027.
Utilising road temperature sensors and detailed weather forecasts, teams monitor conditions to plan treatments in advance of freezing temperatures, frost, and icy conditions. Approximately 300 tonnes of grit are stored, with additional supplies available if needed. The council treats around 156 miles of the city's road network, prioritising key bus corridors, major roads, and routes serving hospitals, emergency services, schools, and the city centre.
While gritting significantly reduces the risk of ice, it does not guarantee roads will be completely ice and snow-free. Traffic helps spread grit effectively. Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, stated, "Our winter service plays a vital role in helping people travel safely and keeping Brighton & Hove moving during the colder months. By combining real-time temperature monitoring with the latest forecasting technology, we're able to make informed decisions about when and where to grit, helping us respond quickly when cold weather is on the way. Our teams are prepared around the clock throughout the winter season, and we've reviewed our plans to make sure our routes, equipment and supplies are ready for whatever the weather brings. But everyone has a part to play. I’d encourage drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care when conditions are cold and icy so we can all stay safe this winter."
In addition to road maintenance, Brighton & Hove has over 1,000km of pavements and around 400 public grit bins for residents. Grit bins will be inspected and refilled throughout the winter. Residents can report low grit bins, damage, or needed attention online or by contacting the council’s highways team. Additional contractors are available for snow clearance and pavement gritting on essential routes during severe weather.
Based on information from the official source: Brighton and Hove City Council (29/10/2026)