Are we ready for more winter weather?

Heart's been asking how are councils are coping in the bad weather?

Wirral Council:

Wirral Council is taking extra measures to ensure that residents are affected as little as possible by the extreme weather conditions
 
The primary road networks have remained clear thanks to the non-stop efforts of the gritting team who laid a total of 480 tonnes of grit last weekend.

A total of 10 large wagons and two mini wagons have been out every night, all night. Two shifts of drivers using special technology have ensured that the roads are gritted at the optimum time and temperature and the snow plough has been used where appropriate. Gritters will also be out on Christmas and Boxing Day if the weather continues. In addition, 207 grit bins are available across the borough for the public to grit paths..

However, the very low temperatures and ice have meant that wagons cannot access some side roads and, regretfully, bin collections are currently suspended.

The Council, along with its contractor Biffa, has however taken swift action and temporary waste reception centres have been set up in six locations across the borough for people to get rid of their rubbish before Christmas.


Wrexham Council:


Councillor David Bithell Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Wrexham Council said

"Road temperatures have dropped quite considerable over the weekend where extreme cold, ice and freezing temperatures is making driving conditions very difficult and our aim is to ensure that all our priority gritting routes remain open. We have experienced temperatures as low as minus 14 and this is expected to continue for the remainder of this week with more snowfall expected. So far we have used 4,000 tonnes of salt on our road Network. We have not altered the rate of salt spread and are working to Winter Service Policy.

Our gritting crews are out up to three times a day and each route takes about 2 and a half hours to complete. Salt is only effective for approximately 8 hours and the lower temperatures means salt becomes less effective and we have to salt these routes more often. We are also trying to maintain all refuse and recycling collections as normal this week and we will be sending out our gritting fleet daily to assist with these collections. Our call centre is experiencing a large number of calls at this time and are we unable to address every issue of gritting for footpaths and estate roads. Our Street scene Area Supervisors and street scene staff are monitoring all areas on a daily basis.Finally, I would like to thank all street scene staff for their commitment during this adverse weather

Flintshire County Council.

Steve Jones, Head of Streetscene said,

"Currently the stock level is at about 40% of the opening balance and additional deliveries are being received daily from our supplier. This is sufficient for approximately 21 days continuous action with a single daily turnout and 6 days for continuous action in the event of heavy snowfall. Salt bins were filled ahead of the current snow fall."


Conwy Council

Stuart Davies, Head of Highways & Infrastructure:

The weather continues to be exceptionally severe and the winter maintenance crews have been working round the clock to keep the main network open.

Salt Stocks
At the start of the season we had 10,500 tonnes in stock, we currently have 4,500* tonnes in stock.  

* This includes 130 tonnes delivered to our coastal depot in four loads last night and this morning.

Gritting
Currently, all first priority routes in Conwy are open and secondary routes passable with care.  

The winter maintenance teams are continuing to treat primary routes and we are responding to requests from Emergency Services, Social Services and Animal Health (in relation to serious animal welfare matters)
 
Agri-contactors have been deployed to help the Authority treat secondary routes.

Some Council services such as parks, cleansing and bin collections have been suspended, and these teams have been redeployed to help treat secondary routes and some footpaths with a mixture of chippings and salt to aid traction.

The public are advised to note the conditions and take extra care.


Cheshire West and Chester Council:

A Cheshire West and Chester spokesman said: "The authority has been preparing for the coming winter months since September 2009, when Members agreed to undertake a full review of gritting routes across the borough.

"We have increased our salt stocks by 2000 tonnes since 2008 - resulting in a stockpile of more than 4000 tonnes for the west of the borough - whilst the east draws directly from the salt mine in Winsford. We will continue to monitor these levels through the winter, with stores replenished as they are used.  
"We have also invested in two new additions to our 16-strong fleet of specialist vehicles with built-in GPS systems to ensure that transport remains modern, reliable and ready to deal with the worst that the winter can throw at us.  

"A new initiative to be introduced this year is 'snow bags', which will work with the 200-plus salt bins located across the borough to give the community access to salt where necessary.  
"In times of need, snow and long periods of frost, the authority will be ready to distribute 450 tonnes of a salt and sand mix, in one-tonne bags, across the borough to where demand is greatest. This will support the community and enable self-help by the public and parish councils as necessary."

Denbighshire Council:

Denbighshire's statement as requested:

We have 3,400 tonnes of grit left, which is enough for 30 days of usual gritting. We have an outstanding order for a further 1,500 tonnes but don't know as yet when that will be delivered.

We are not at the stage of bringing in any contingency plans but we are monitoring the situation closely and are liaising with the Welsh Assembly Government.