To assist residents in dealing with the next cold snap, Richmond Council is again offering free rock salt to help keep the borough's pavements clear.

This, the council says, "is on top of our existing winter gritting service which kept the borough moving safely during the recent sub-zero temperatures". 

It added: "To ensure residents are prepared for any further icy weather, we will be running an additional free rock salt giveaway later this month." 

Local residents can collect up to 25kg of rock salt from the council's depot on Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January, between 9am and 3pm. 

As the depot is a secure site, residents will need to sign in at the gate reception. Residents are asked to ensure they bring photo ID and proof of address to collect their supply. 

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, chair of Richmond Council's transport and air quality committee, said: "Keeping our borough safe during icy weather is a top priority.

"I'd like to thank our crews for their swift and comprehensive response, from handing out free rock salt directly to residents to gritting hundreds of miles of roads.

"By working together, we've helped minimise disruption and keep Richmond moving during challenging conditions. I encourage residents to make use of this additional giveaway, so they are prepared for the next cold snap." 

Between Monday 5 January and Saturday 10 January, Richmond Council's fleet of four gritters carried out 11 precautionary gritting runs, spreading over 12 tonnes of grit each day.

The council's four precautionary routes cover approximately 120 miles which equates to 240 miles of gritted highway.

This proactive approach helped ensure that main routes remained safe and accessible for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. 

In addition to primary routes, secondary roads and isolated areas were gritted three times during the recent cold snap, providing extra protection for less-travelled parts of the borough. 

Richmond Council says it "also prioritised pedestrian safety". Primary footways in town centres, near railway stations, and around schools were gritted daily wherever icy patches were identified. This targeted action helped keep key public spaces safe for residents. 

 The council says it is "continually reviewing the scope and extent of [its] winter gritting operations".

It added: "Earlier this month, we distributed 150 additional bags of rock salt from our depot to residents. This extra provision was on top of the popular November giveaway. 

"So far, we have handed out 855 bags – equivalent to 21,375kg of rock salt – helping households tackle icy conditions across the borough. 

You can find out more about Richmond Council's winter gritting service, including its Winter Service Plan and precautionary gritting routes here.