Icy conditions and sanding routes

During the winter the municipality is on standby 24 hours a day to keep the city accessible. It sands a fixed network of primary roads and cycle paths. The municipality never sands sidewalks, footpaths, other cycle paths and smaller secondary roads.

Companies are responsible for keeping their own grounds clear of snow and ice. You can help to minimise the problems caused by slippery conditions.

Where and when will the roads be sanded?

The municipality will decide to sand the city’s roads on the basis of weather information, police alerts and its own observation. The sanding times and locations will be communicated (in Dutch) on Begin external link: X(External link), end external link. and on Begin link: denhaag.nl/gladheid, end link. .

Sanding routes and road salt

Take a look at the Begin link: sanding routes and the locations for picking up road salt, end link. on the map.

Tips for home and at work

• Make sure you have road salt, a snow shovel and a broom at home. Residents and businesses in The Hague can pick up small amounts of road salt for free from the municipality. Deicing road salt can be found in containers standing outside at the Begin link: 3 waste depots, end link. and the Begin link: city district offices, end link. . You can also pick up road salt at the Begin link: city farms, end link. . Bring a sturdy bag or bucket with you. Unfortunately the municipality is unable to respond to individual sanding requests.
• Sweep fresh snow to a spot where it will not be in anyone’s way. Then use road salt or another ice melting product.
• Ice melting products may only be used to thaw snow and ice. You cannot use them as a preventive measure.
• Sanding hard ice patches minimises slippery conditions and is environmentally friendly.
• Do not sweep snow into gutters and drains.
• Use road salt in spots where people will be walking or driving.
• Do you live in a flat or apartment building? Talk to your neighbours about working together to keep the area clear of snow and ice.
• Wear gloves when you use road salt and ice melting products.

Preventing slippery conditions in a sustainable way

• Use as little road salt as possible. This is better for the environment and it is more effective this way.
• Do not use road salt close to trees.
• Ice melting pellets (calcium chloride) are an environmentally-friendly alternative to road salt (natrium chloride).

Tips for on the go

• Check the weather forecast.
• Before you set off, check the Begin link: sanding routes in The Hague, end link. . This way you will know which routes are the least likely to be slippery.
• Keep an eye on travel information updates for public transport.
• Adjust your speed in traffic.
• Let a little bit of air out of your bicycle tires. Cycling on slippery roads and paths will be easier.
• Are you going to walk? Wear shoes with soles that give you grip or wear ice grips or metal snow shoes under your shoes.

Parking

Parked cars make it difficult for sanding trucks to do their job properly. This is particularly difficult in narrow streets. Not only do sanding trucks need to be able to operate their route, but household waste also needs to be collected as usual. Park your car as far to the side of the road as possible. But do not park on the sidewalk and at intersections. Park only where it is permitted.

Public transportation

Are you travelling by public transportation? Check the current travel information at:

• Begin external link: Nederlandse Spoorwegen(External link), end external link. (trains)
• Begin external link: HTM(External link), end external link. (tram and bus) and via Begin external link: X(External link), end external link.
• Connexxion (bus)
• 9292.nl (all types of public transportation)

Sanding policy

Read more about the municipality’s sanding policy in the Begin external link: nota Gladheidsbestrijding (RIS285270)(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).