Case Reference: 101001986593
Response details:
Dear Cllr Stephanos Ioannou,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the gritting of Oakwood Crescent.
We fully understand the concerns that arise following adverse weather conditions such as frost, ice, and snow. However, please note that Oakwood Crescent, along with a number of other roads across Enfield, are not included in our winter service treatment routes and unfortunately will not be included into this years plan 25/26.
Our primary objective is to keep the Priority 1 network clear of frost, ice, and snow in accordance with the Winter Maintenance Plan. This ensures that key routes within the borough, as well as those connecting to neighbouring boroughs, remain open to traffic, supporting emergency services and essential travel in and through the borough.
Oakwood Crescent is situated between two treated carriageways, Chaseville Park Road and Eversley Park Road, which form part of the Priority 1 network thus supplying treated roads and each end of the Crescent.
As you may be aware, Oakwood Crescent has not been included in our winter gritting routes for many years now following a reduction in the number of borough roads we cover.
However, we review the Priority 1 network at the end of each winter season to assess its effectiveness and consider any necessary adjustments where applicable and Oakwood Crescent will be placed on a review to add to the winter maintenance gritting programme for 2026/27
Regards
Principal Highway Officer
Highways, Traffic and Parking Services
Environment and Communities Directorate
Enfield Council
Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield, EN13XA
Tel: 02081320751
Original enquiry description:
Dear Enfield Highways / Winter Maintenance Team,
I am writing to formally request the immediate reinstatement of winter gritting on Oakwood Crescent, N21 1PA.
Oakwood Crescent was routinely gritted for many years, and that service has since been withdrawn. Since gritting ceased, accidents have occurred, creating an unacceptable and avoidable safety risk.
Oakwood Crescent is located directly opposite a school, and it is essential that emergency services have clear and unrestricted access at all times, particularly during winter conditions. The current lack of gritting directly compromises this requirement and places school users, residents, and emergency response vehicles at risk.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that Oakwood Crescent is a hill road. During icy or snowy conditions, the roads gradient significantly increases the likelihood of vehicles and pedestrians losing control, further heightening the risk of accidents.
The Councils Winter Maintenance Plan 2025?2026 confirms that routes providing emergency services access are treated as priority routes. Given the road?s proximity to a school, its importance for emergency access, its gradient, its previous long-standing inclusion in the gritting network, and the accidents that have occurred since gritting was withdrawn, there is a clear and compelling case for Oakwood Crescent to be reinstated as a priority route.
I request written confirmation of:
The reason winter gritting on Oakwood Crescent was discontinued; and
When winter gritting will be reinstated as a matter of urgency.
Given the seriousness of the safety issues outlined above, I would appreciate a prompt response.