Highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice. Winter service and maintenance, including ensuring adequate grit supplies, is therefore the responsibility of the relevant highway authority. Roads in Northern Ireland are a devolved matter, but there too it is a matter for the highway authority to ensure that it has an adequate supply of road grit to treat the roads for which it is responsible.<\/p>
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The Department for Transport has taken a number of steps to ensure highway authorities in England enter the 2018/19 winter season well prepared. This includes monitoring the amount of road grit being held around the country throughout the winter season, working closely with the UK domestic road grit producers and maintaining a substantial national emergency road grit reserve.<\/p>
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The Department for Transport has written to all highway authorities in England, outside London, reminding them of their responsibilities during the winter season and the letter is available at the following weblink:<\/p>