Birmingham City Council has stated it is impossible for its gritting teams to treat every street in the city, following an overnight snowstorm that left many roads treacherous. The admission comes after residents reported vehicles sliding and buses becoming stuck on Thursday morning, 9 January 2026.
Council's Gritting Operation Explained
The authority confirmed that its gritter crews were deployed on three separate runs on Wednesday, 8 January: at 9am, 7.30pm, and again just before midnight. The teams focused on treating both carriageways and footpaths across the city's established priority network.
A council spokesperson told BirminghamLive: "Our gritting crews were out at 9am, 7.30pm and midnight last night, January 8, treating carriageways and footpaths – and that work will continue today." However, they were clear about the limitations, adding: "It's not possible to treat every road in the city with the resources available to us."
How Road Priorities Work in a Snowstorm
In response to winter weather, the council operates a three-tier priority system for gritting. The primary focus is always on the city's 'major roads', which form part of a pre-defined network. This strategy is based on official government guidance for highway authorities.
The council revealed that this priority treated network covers over 1,200 kilometres (more than 700 miles). This accounts for nearly half of the total length of all roads within Birmingham's boundaries.
Resident Frustration and Official Response
Many locals took to social media to express their frustration upon discovering their snow-covered and icy residential streets had not been gritted. Reports of difficult driving conditions were widespread in the wake of Storm Goretti, which battered the West Midlands overnight.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, the cabinet member for environment and transport, acknowledged the complaints. He said: "We understand the frustration caused by icy conditions and appreciate the concerns raised by residents." This echoeda statement he made earlier in the month after similar weather, where he conceded that some residential streets would inevitably remain icy due to the scale of the task.
The council has emphasised that its gritting work is ongoing, but the statement makes clear that with current resources, treating the entirety of Birmingham's vast road network during heavy snowfall remains an unachievable goal.
