Winter Grounds Maintenance Checklist for Schools and Commercial Sites in Hertfordshire, London & the Home Counties

When temperatures drop and daylight hours shrink, keeping your site safe and presentable becomes much more challenging. For schools, hospitals, business parks and housing estates across Hertfordshire, London and the Home Counties, winter grounds maintenance isn’t just about appearance – it’s about safety, compliance and avoiding disruption. At Riley’s Grounds Maintenance, we provide tailored commercial grounds maintenance packages and dedicated winter maintenance services to keep sites open, safe and operating smoothly all year round. Use this practical winter grounds maintenance checklist to prepare your school or commercial site for the colder months.

Close up snowflake

1. Prioritise Safe Access: Paths, Entrances & Car Parks

Slips and trips are one of the biggest risks during winter. The first priority for any school or commercial site should be safe access for pupils, staff, visitors and vehicles. Checklist:

• Identify high-risk routes: main entrances, pedestrian walkways, car parks, drop-off areas and service yards.

• Put a gritting plan in place for all key routes when temperatures are forecast to drop below zero.

• Ensure car parks and turning areas are kept clear of compacted snow and ice.

• Top up grit bins and position them in convenient, high-use locations.

• Check lighting around entrances and pathways so hazards are visible in dark mornings and evenings.

If you don’t have the time or equipment to manage this in-house, a professional contractor can help. Riley’s offers proactive winter gritting and maintenance, including out-of-hours visits so everything is safe before your site opens.

2. Keep School Playgrounds & Outdoor Areas Safe

For schools and colleges, outdoor spaces are used daily – even in winter. Icy playgrounds, steps and sports areas can quickly become unsafe if they are not maintained. Checklist for schools:

• Inspect playgrounds, MUGAs and outdoor learning areas for standing water that could freeze.

• Grit key routes from gates to classroom blocks, dining halls and sports facilities.

• Check surfaces like ramps and steps for damage or loose edges that could worsen in icy conditions.

• Ensure sports pitch lines remain visible after leaf fall and bad weather.

• Plan alternative routes or temporary closures for any particularly hazardous areas.

Riley’s are experienced, DBS-checked contractors providing dedicated school grounds maintenance across Hertfordshire, London, Essex and Bedfordshire, including winter-ready schedules and regular site checks.

3. Manage Verges, Roadside Areas & Site Visibility

Overgrown verges and roadside vegetation become more than a cosmetic issue in winter – they can reduce visibility and make it harder for vehicles and pedestrians to move safely around your site. Checklist:

• Cut back overgrown verges near entrances, junctions and internal access roads.

• Ensure sight lines are clear for drivers entering or leaving car parks and service yards.

• Trim back vegetation encroaching onto footpaths or cycleways.

• Check that signage, markings and bollards are clearly visible.

Riley’s has the highways training and equipment to safely handle verges & roadside cutting under appropriate traffic management, helping to keep your site compliant and safe during darker, wetter months.

4. Stay on Top of Leaves, Debris & Drainage

Autumn and early winter leaf fall can quickly block drains, create slippery surfaces and cause localised flooding. Good housekeeping now prevents bigger problems later. Checklist:

• Regularly clear leaves from paths, steps, ramps and car parks.

• Inspect drains and gullies for blockages and standing water.

• Remove fallen branches and debris after storms or high winds.

• Check that leaf and waste storage areas are secure and not causing obstructions.

As part of a wider grounds maintenance contract, these tasks can be built into your winter schedule so they’re tackled before they become a hazard.

5. Inspect Trees, Shrubs & Boundaries

Wind, rain and snow can all put additional pressure on trees, hedges and fences. Regular inspections help reduce the risk of damage or accidents.Checklist:

• Visually inspect trees near buildings, footpaths, playgrounds and car parks for dead or damaged branches.

• Check boundary fences, railings and gates for wear, leaning posts or loose fixings.

• Trim low branches over paths and car parks where they could obstruct visibility or be weighed down by snow.

• Ensure hedges and planting beds are tidy and not blocking emergency exits or escape routes.

Many of these checks can be combined with your regular grounds maintenance visits to avoid extra disruption during the school or working day.

6. Plan for Out-of-Hours & Emergency Support

Winter weather is unpredictable, and sites often need support outside normal working hours to stay operational. Checklist:

• Agree clear trigger points for gritting and snow clearance (e.g. temperature forecasts, Met Office warnings).

• Confirm who has authority to request emergency visits or extra clearing.

• Make sure your contractor can attend out of hours where needed, especially for schools, NHS sites and business parks.

• Keep a record of visits and actions taken in case of insurance or compliance queries.

Riley’s offers flexible winter maintenance services, often carrying out gritting at night so your site is ready and safe for the morning.

7. Work with a Professional Winter Grounds Maintenance Partner

Managing winter grounds maintenance in-house can be time-consuming and equipment-heavy. Partnering with a professional contractor means you benefit from:

• Experienced teams used to working on school grounds, commercial estates, NHS sites and housing developments.

• Specialist equipment such as 4x4 vehicles with mounted spreaders and hand-spreaders for awkward areas.

• Planned schedules tailored to your site and budget, with predictable monthly costs.

• Support with documentation, risk assessments and compliance.

Riley’s Grounds Maintenance provides reliable commercial grounds maintenance and winter maintenance across Hertfordshire, London, Essex and Bedfordshire, with a focus on safety, compliance and excellent customer service.

Snow in the road

Book Your Winter Grounds Maintenance Visit

If you’re responsible for a school, commercial site, NHS facility or housing estate in Hertfordshire, London or the Home Counties, now is the ideal time to make sure your winter grounds maintenance plan is in place. We offer free site visits and tailored proposals, with clear schedules of work and straightforward monthly pricing. Contact Riley’s Grounds Maintenance today to discuss your winter requirements, or explore our grounds maintenance services in more detail.