A Night with Merseyside’s Unsung Heroes: The Gritting Team
Elliot Jessett experiences a night shift with Knowsley Council’s gritting team, highlighting their vital yet unseen work during winter.
Merseyside, Knowsley, Gritting Team, Winter Safety, Public Service
Knowsley: Local democracy reporter Elliot Jessett joined the gritting team on a snowy Saturday night. As the snow fell, while many sought warmth indoors, these unsung heroes were gearing up for work. Their job is crucial for public safety, yet it often goes unnoticed.
When folks woke up wondering about road conditions, they found the major routes clear, thanks to the hard work of the gritting teams. To see what it takes to keep the roads safe, I signed up for a shift with Knowsley Council’s gritting crew. The operation is impressive, especially when the trucks are loaded and sent out.
We gathered in the yard, braving the cold as team leader Paul Christopher briefed the drivers. The gritting team is on standby 24/7 during winter, ready to treat the roads no matter the time or weather, even on holidays.
Like many local authorities, resources are limited, so they can’t grit every road. It takes careful planning to ensure key routes, like those to emergency services, are prioritized. Paul, who’s been with the council for 27 years, has seen a lot of changes, especially with technology improving weather tracking.
Every day, Paul works with the Met Office to get updates on weather conditions. For instance, they knew snow was coming from Wales and would hit Liverpool around 9 PM. His job is about preparing for the worst, gritting before any snow or ice hits.
Paul explained that sometimes he has to wake team members in the middle of the night to get them ready. They’re on call from November to March, which can make it tough to relax. We met the team at 7:30 PM, ready for another long shift after a busy day before.
They use a special grit mix that works in very low temperatures, which helps reduce waste. On a typical night, they might use around 140 tonnes to cover the main routes. I was paired with Mike Crowney, a former taxi driver who’s been gritting since 2007. His route includes parts of the M62, which means he has to be careful about when to turn the gritter on and off as he crosses borough lines.
Driving a big truck at night can be tricky, but Mike has a system to help him remember where to adjust the gritter. He even has a fun way of naming the trucks, and we decided to call ours ‘Luke Grit-ler’ for a laugh.
Mike drives at a max speed of 40 mph to ensure the grit covers the road properly. Most drivers are understanding and appreciate the work they do. Mike said he doesn’t mind being behind the scenes as long as he knows he’s making the roads safer.
Local officials recognize the importance of the gritting teams. Cllr Shelley Powell emphasized that their work is a huge team effort, involving advanced weather forecasting and readiness to head out into the cold whenever needed.
After an hour with Mike, he had spread about eight tonnes of grit and was heading back to reload. Just as we wrapped up, the snow started falling again, and Mike jumped back into his truck for another round.