Total failure to grit any roads

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Permalink Reply by Jrow on January 9, 2026 at 10:32

On Wednesday morning as I took my children to school I saw multiple people fall over as they walked along Philip Lane with their children. I helped one older man up who fell heavily on his back. The pavements were all covered in ice. I tried calling Haringey Council, but couldn't get through so I spoke to Veolia who are responsible for gritting the streets and pavements. Veolia said that according to their contract they don't have to do any gritting of pavements at all unless it snows. I emailed the council to complain, but haven't heard anything yet.

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Permalink Reply by RD on January 9, 2026 at 16:46

So black ice doesn't count? We endured a six-hour wait in A&E at North Mids on Wednesday after my partner fell over in Muswell Hill. He needed a head CT scan but fortunately had no fractures, just severe facial bruising. He wasn't the only one. A&E was bedlam - filled with so many people who'd fallen over on icy pavements. We waited next to two older women with fractured shoulders, a man with a head injury from falling backwards and a woman whose ankle broke so badly they had to rush her off for an operation. The doctor who saw to my partner said it was the busiest she'd experienced in five years.

Imagine how many of those people, including my partner, would've been unscathed if the borough's pavements and roads had been gritted.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Abela on January 11, 2026 at 23:58

Hi everyone, 

My apologies for the delayed reply, as I only saw this Harringay Online post now. Zena and I have been replying individually to and supporting residents who contacted us about specific roads in Harringay. The fastest way to reach us is always by email on anna.abela@haringey.gov.uk and zena.brabazon@haringey.gov.uk. 

Some general information which you may find useful: 

1. Our Council's gritting team has recently increased in capacity. We now have two gritting machines and a massive in-borough grit store at the Waste Depot in Tottenham. Our Council's gritting teams have been out gritting roads every day (and night!) since 5 January. That said, like most UK local councils, Haringey Council does not grit each and every street: there is a priority system that gives first priority to key routes. 

2. You can find information on which Haringey roads are gritted by the Council here: https://haringey.gov.uk/streets-roads-travel/road-maintenance-improvements/winter-road-maintenance-gritting/winter-gritting-map

2. Grit bins are also available for residents to keep their street clear of ice and snow. You can find information on your nearest grit bin here: https://haringey.gov.uk/streets-roads-travel/road-maintenance-improvements/winter-road-maintenance-gritting/where-when-we-grit

3. Many residents have already signed up to be a Snow Buddy for their road. Snow Buddies receive tools from the Council to grit their road. You can sign up to be a Snow Buddy here: https://haringey.gov.uk/streets-roads-travel/road-maintenance-improvements/winter-road-maintenance-gritting/clearing-snow-ice-yourself

4. Council estates are gritted by Haringey Council's Housing team. 

I hope this is helpful information. The Council's teams have been very responsive to gritting requests from Zena and I this week, so please do email us if you encounter any difficulties, so that we can escalate this on your behalf. 

Best regards, 

Anna

Cllr Anna Abela (Harringay ward)

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