The local roads that get protection from ice on cold nights are not just decided at random.

There’s a clear plan and an actual map that shows the drivers which roads to grit and in what order.

Maps

Red routes are “priority one”. They get salted first and include the A272, Sussex Road, Stoner Hill and town and village centres including Petersfield, Buriton, Liss, Clanfield and East Meon.

Across Hampshire there are around 1,800 miles of such routes according to the county council. They say priority one roads account for 35% of the total network. It takes 44 gritter lorries to treat them all.

The blue routes are “priority two”. They include places like Steep, Ramsdean and the Tilmore loop.

These roads only get treated once the priority one routes have been salted.

What about footpaths?

Pedestrians aren’t left out of the gritting plan. They are salted during times of prolonged freezing temperatures or when there is persistent frost or ice.

The council has also placed salt bins around the areas, especially on hilly roads, so we can salt the pavements and roads near our houses ourselves.

Focus on Petersfield

Ramshill, Station Road, The High Street, Lavant Street, Chapel Street and Moggs Mead are all in priority one. So is Heath Road East, Rival Moor Road, Pulens Lane and Winchester Road.

The Tilmore loop, Heath Road past the Heath Pond and roads off Winchester Road are priority two. Inmans Lane in Sheet is also in that group.

Focus on Clanfield

All the roads into and out of Clanfield are priority one including Chalton Lane, Lovedean Lane and Petersfield Lane up to Butser Hill.

White Dirt Lane in Catherington is Priority two.

Focus on Liss

All main routes in and out of the village are considered to be priority one for gritting. These include Andlers Ash Road, Hill Brow Road and Mint Road.

Hatch Lane, linking Hill Brow with Liss is priority two.