Wednesday, 06 January 2010
The following was issued by Bath & North East Somerset Council this morning.
Weather Forecast
Snow was continuous throughout the night. Accumulations of snow have caused problems on main routes around Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasdown and snow ploughs were deployed to clear these.
The Met Office predicts snow will continue until lunchtime when it will die out. The weather has resulted in treacherous conditions. The road temperature is likely to plummet during the afternoon and overnight to as low as -8c making road and pavement conditions hazardous.
Residents are urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary. If residents have to, the Council advises anybody to plan carefully for any journeys and keep a close eye on the weather forecast. The Council is liaising with partners such as police, fire and the PCT to coordinate efforts.
The Council is already planning ahead for more difficult conditions tomorrow.
Highways update
The Bath & North East Somerset Council gritting fleet was out salting the roads during the night and using snow ploughs. Key transport routes and roads to key facilities like hospitals and care homes have been gritted and are passable with care. Steep hills not on the main network are impassable.
Because the Council must focus its resources on these priority routes, side roads will not be gritted. Pavements and car parks will be salted following the gritting of priority routes.
The Council will continue to monitor road conditions and will provide additional salting and gritting on priority routes when required.
There are nationwide problems with the supply chain of salt for salt, but the Council has a reasonable stock at the present time.
Snow and ice can seriously damage the highways surface increasing the number of potholes because of the action of frost on the highway. Highways Inspectors will inspect the condition of the roads during the adverse weather conditions and the Council will resolve these problems as soon as it can.
Public spaces and Car Parks
Council staff will be redeployed onto snow clearing and salting duties to keep shopping areas and car parks clear once priority routes have been attended to.
This morning, crews have cleared paths through fallen snow in main urban centres. Snow will be cleared and salt applied to keep car parks operating throughout the district.
Public Transport
As of 09:00 hrs, situation may change as the day goes on.
First
- Very limited service on 5, 13 and 14 routes. P&R from Newbridge (21) also has a limited service. All other services not operating at present;
- 42 Odd Down – RUH limited service operating via Wellsway and Lower Bristol Road;
- 349 Bristol – Keynsham limited service.
- No services operating at present.
- No services operating at present.
- No services operating – unlikely to operate for most of the day.
- No services operating
- 20A/C limited service serving RUH, Twerton and Centre.
- 532 to Keynsham not operating.
- 665 Keynsham Local not operating.
- 752 Chew Valley not operating.
- 94 into Bath not operating.
- 620 not operating.
Waste and Recycling
All services have been cancelled for today as the conditions would make use of the vehicles on untreated roads hazardous. Residents are requested not to place their refuse out for collection as this will not be collected until next week. The Council will give more information about tomorrow’s waste collections later today.
All three recycling centres are currently open.
Schools Update
All schools shut. The Council will be updating its website from early tomorrow morning on www.bathnes.gov.uk/schoolclosures
Parents/ guardians should also listen to local radio stations.
All Council run nurseries and Children’s Centres are closed.
Other Services
Adult Services
Plans are in place to ensure that services to vulnerable people continue. People who use day centres are advised to call their centre to check if it is open.
There is a very limited community meals service today, although we are able to deliver to customers in Keynsham. The community meals service delivered frozen meals to people yesterday in case of severe weather conditions. People who need to use this meal are being called today.
For those who are unable to cook, special arrangements have been made. The Council is encouraging carers or neighbours to those people who receive a community meal to see whether that person needs a meal, and to help them if possible.
Agencies commissioned by the Council to provide Home Care services have contingency plans in place. Clients or relatives should call the relevant agency for more information. These telephone numbers can be found on www.bathnes.gov.uk/homecareproviders
Useful vulnerable adult telephone numbers: Community and Health Access Team at Lewis House, Bath: 01225 396000. Emergency Duty Team
01454 615165.
Libraries
Bath Central Library was the only library due open today. Reduced opening hours are 9.30am – 1pm.
Heritage Services
