Our gritting crew are now on 24 hour call from mid-November until the end of March - ready to go out whenever we need them, night or day.
Every time the gritters go out, they cover around 260 miles of Sandwell's roads, each time putting down around 55 tonnes of salt. We have one priority route, which means all of the roads on this route (nearly half of the whole road network in Sandwell) are gritted every time the gritters go out.
We've named our gritting trucks with the help of the public and council staff and they all have names unique to Sandwell. Some of them have even been named after famous faces.
So if you're out and about once temperatures fall in winter, look out for the trucks and give them a wave. Can you spot every single one? You're also welcome to take photos of them - as long as it's safe and you're not driving at the time.
The trucks are called:
- Ice One, Cyrille
- Dame Julie Salters
- The Greatest Snow Van
- Spread Zeppelin
- Frozie Lawrence
- Frosty the Snow Van
- Melt-on John
- Rule Gritannia
- Ctrl+Salt+Delete
Here are some frequently asked questions about gritting and a list of gritting routes.
How can I find out if the gritters are out?
You can easily keep up to date with our gritters using social media.
Join us on Facebook
Sandwell Facebook page to find out when our gritting crews are out, if schools are closed and information on how frosty or snowy weather is affecting Sandwell.
Gritter Twitter
Want to find out if the gritters are on the road? Need updates on school closures and weather forecasts? Follow @sandwellcouncil on Twitter. During bad weather we'll be using the #wmgrit hashtag.
You can also follow our highways team on Twitter.
Report a problem with a grit bin
Fill in this online form to report a problem with a grit bin - for example if it is damaged, missing or tipped over.
Report a problem with a grit bin
Please, note, you cannot use this form to ask for a grit bin to be re-filled. We regularly check and re-fill grit bins over the winter, please bear with us - your grit bin will be re-filled soon.
You cannot use this form to request a new or replacement grit bin. When a new estate or road is built, we look at where grit bins are needed.
School closures during bad weather
If it's snowing or very icy some schools may be closed. Schools will let parents and carers know if they are closed by text, email, by updating their website or via school social media pages.
Clearing snow safely
If it snows, find out how to clear snow safely.
Winter driving advice
When winter bites, will you and your vehicle be ready?
Highways England, which manages motorways and major A roads, has some useful advice about preparing for your journey and driving in severe weather on its winter web pages, on their Facebook page and on Twitter.