Residents across Leicester and Leicestershire are being urged to prepare for another week of cold weather, icy roads and potential winter travel disruption, as temperatures remain low and wintry showers are expected throughout the coming days.
The Met Office forecast for the region predicts cold conditions with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C and overnight lows close to freezing, with rain, sleet and occasional snow showers possible as the week progresses. Winds are expected to pick up on some days, making conditions feel even colder, with frost and icy patches likely across the county in the mornings and evenings.
Leicestershire County Council has confirmed that its gritting teams are working around the clock to keep key routes safe as the cold snap continues. Recent council updates report that gritter drivers have already treated major roads multiple times, including overnight operations where road surface temperatures dropped to nearly –8°C in places.
Picture credit: Leicestershire County Council
Each nightly gritting run typically spreads about 260 tonnes of rock salt over roughly 1,300 miles of priority roads — including major A-roads, busier B-roads and routes serving hospitals and emergency services.
“Our gritter drivers have been working incredibly hard… to keep the road network up and running,” said Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for highways. However, he also stressed that not all roads can be treated, and drivers should remain cautious when travelling.
What Residents Should Know
- Priority gritting routes — including major thoroughfares and essential service access roads — are being treated first.
- Interactive gritting maps are available on the council’s website so motorists can check which roads are prioritised.
- Local volunteer snow wardens and community groups are helping keep pavements and pedestrian areas safer, and grit bins across the area are being kept stocked.
- Residents are reminded to take extra care on untreated side streets and rural lanes, especially early in the morning and in shaded areas where ice can linger.
Council guidance for coping with adverse weather includes:
- Allowing extra time for journeys and driving slowly on icy roads.
- Wearing appropriate footwear and warm clothing when out and about.
- Checking on vulnerable neighbours and relatives during prolonged cold spells.
- Getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if eligible, to help maintain health through winter conditions.
With the cold weather expected to persist through the week, both local authorities and emergency services are urging residents to stay informed and plan ahead for possible travel disruption.
