Gritting and snow clearance in Nutfield

Sloping drives on the greensand hill and wet clay paths below the station, salted before the frost.

Gritting in Nutfield means dealing with two winters in one parish. The old village and its church sit up on the greensand hill, where houses built for the views often have steps and drives that climb to the front door. South Nutfield, the larger half, lies below on Wealden Clay, and that ground keeps water on paths long after the rain stops. Both freeze. They just freeze differently.

We’re a family firm from Horley, about five miles away, and every path we treat is cleared and salted by hand. We clear snow off the paths people actually use, salt them, and keep the salt out of your borders. Ring us when the forecast turns, or agree a list of paths with us in late autumn and leave the watching to us.

Gritting in Nutfield: the hill and the clay below it

On the hill, the trouble is gradient. A sloping drive or a flight of garden steps only needs a thin glaze to turn treacherous, and anything shaded by a tall hedge or a north wall can stay frozen while the rest of the garden thaws. We salt those the night before, mostly the treads, landings and the turn at the top. Down in South Nutfield it’s the clay. Water sits in the low spots on paths and patios, then sets into a sheet overnight. Salt put down before the frost stops that sheet forming, which beats trying to break it up at breakfast.

Shared paths at Nutfield’s flats and converted houses

The 2011 census counted 147 flats in the parish, and some are in grand old buildings, including the former country house beside the church. Shared entrances like these take a lot of feet from early morning, and there’s usually a path out to the bins that nobody thinks about until someone slips on it. We’ll agree with the managing agent or residents’ group which routes to treat, come out whenever frost or snow is forecast, and report back once it’s done.

Gritting in Nutfield: your questions

Anything else, just ring. You’ll speak to the people who do the work.

My front steps are shaded by a big hedge. Do they need doing more often?

Usually, yes. Steps in deep shade can stay frozen all day because they get no help from the sun. In a long cold spell we’ll re-treat them on each visit, and we keep the salt away from the hedge roots alongside.

Can I set this up for a parent who lives in South Nutfield?

Of course. Tell us their address, which door they use and whether there are steps to the gate, and we’ll add them to the winter list. We’ll message you each time, so you’re not ringing them at seven to check.

Can the churches and the village hall book this too?

Yes. A churchyard path or the steps into a hall get busy on dark winter evenings. We’ll agree the routes with whoever looks after the building, put them in writing and come out ahead of the frost.