Birmingham City Council has admitted it cannot grit every street in the city, following public criticism and the intervention of two quick-thinking teenagers who tackled dangerous icy conditions themselves.
Teens Take Initiative on Treacherous Streets
The situation unfolded in the Bartley Green area, where residents woke up on Friday, 3rd January 2026, to find their streets untreated after overnight snowfall. Frustration grew as roads remained hazardous, with Hasbury Road described as particularly treacherous.
However, the community's mood shifted when a boy and a girl, two local teenagers, decided to act. Using salted sand from a council-provided yellow grit bin, they filled a wheelie bin and began treating the icy streets in their neighbourhood. Their proactive efforts were widely praised online after images of their work circulated.
Council Responds with Thanks and Explanation
Facing questions over the untreated roads, the council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Majid Mahmood, responded. He thanked the young residents for using their "initiative" to help their community.
Mahmood explained that the council's gritting crews were active on Thursday night and Friday morning, but their focus was on treating the city's designated 'priority routes'. Hasbury Road is not classified as such a route.
"Unfortunately, it’s not possible to grit every road and we recognise that some residential streets may have remained icy," Mahmood told BirminghamLive. He confirmed teams would continue to grit priority routes and that operations were under constant review.
Further Wintry Weather on the Horizon
The council's response comes with a fresh warning. The authority is closely monitoring the weather forecast, which predicts more snow will hit the West Midlands within the next 24 hours. Icy conditions are expected to persist.
Councillor Mahmood emphasised the council's aim to keep Birmingham as safe as possible, utilising both gritting lorries and the network of grit bins for public use. The story highlights the ongoing challenge local authorities face during severe winter weather, balancing limited resources against the safety of every residential street.
