Winter Management Plan – Roads Network
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) operates a Winter Service Plan as part of its duty to maintain the public highway. Section 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980 states, “in particular, a highway authority
Published: 6 January 2026
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) operates a Winter Service Plan as part of its duty to maintain the public highway. Section 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980 states, “in particular, a highway authority is under a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.”
Winter Service Network
The ‘Winter Service Network’ consists of roads, made up of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class carriageways, where precautionary salting is carried out to assist in the prevention of the formation of ice and snow accumulation.
The Precautionary Salting Network is 1,600km of roads which are treated in advance of adverse weather and is divided into Priority 1, 2 & 3 roads and will include the A29 through Slinfold.
Priority 1. Primary Roads (as defined in the West Sussex Local Transport Plan), approaches to Hospitals, Ambulance and other Emergency Services.
Priority 2. Remainder of the A and B road network not treated as Priority 1.
Priority 3. All other roads that make up the Precautionary Salting Network that is not a Priority 1 or 2.
The Objective of Precautionary Salting is to:
- Assist in the prevention of moisture turning to ice
- Assist in the prevention of heavy deposits of Hoar Frost turning to ice; and
- Assist in the prevention of the accumulation of snow and to help facilitate its subsequent removal on agreed routes.
Winter Resilient Network
As part of contingency planning, WSCC has defined a minimum winter network called the Winter Resilient Network. The Winter Resilient Network is the extent of the Winter Service Network that will be treated and/or ploughed in the event of heavy snowfall which includes major roads made up of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class carriageways including the A29 through Slinfold.
Salt Bins
It is not possible for West Sussex Highways to grit or clear snow from all other roads, footways or cycle ways so parishes such as Slinfold are provided with a number of roadside salt bins enabling residents to spread road salt at strategic places such as inclines and junctions. Slinfold Parish Council has five salt bins available to residents to use on roads and pavements within the parish and can found in the following locations: –
- The Street, next to the bus shelter
- Lowfield Road
- Slinfold Village Hall
- Outside Chequers Inn, Rowhook
- Six Acres near junction with Hayes Lane
Slinfold Parish Council provides the salt bins but will not direct anyone to use them. Any individual using the salt/grit will be acting on their own initiative and this action will be entirely at their own risk. It is recommended that the following equipment is used when spreading the salt/grit: a high visibility vest/jacket, warm gloves, sturdy non-slip waterproof footwear, warm clothing, a snow shovel and a fully charged mobile phone. If you are working alone, always contact someone when starting and finishing.
When applied, the salt/grit mix forms a brine solution which freezes at a lower temperature than rainwater and grit helps provide traction when spread on top of compacted snow and ice. The mix can therefore be used as a precautionary measure on snow and ice.
WSCC recommends a spread rate of approximately 20 grams of salt / grit per square metre when hand salting, which s is a very small amount (about a fist size). Please use it sparingly as it can be damaging to the environment. Although salt / grit can be spread effectively with shovels, care is required to ensure over salting does not occur.
WSCC will arrange pre-winter top ups to bins identified through an audit conducted by Slinfold Parish Council that are less than 75% full before winter. WSCC do not refill bins after the start of winter. If a salt bin is running low then please let the Parish Clerk know: clerk@slindfold-pc.gov.uk
When resources are low, WSCC may call on additional resources from Parish Councils and local farmers as appropriate to deal effectively with lying snow.
Contacts
WSCC Contact Centre
Please report fallen trees or damage to the public highway by phoning 01243 777100 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) or online at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/make-an-enquiryabout-a-road-or-pavement/ If outside these hours, contact 033 022 22400.
Keeping safe in winter