While this morning’s snow
across Buckinghamshire has surprised some forecasters, Buckinghamshire Council
is well prepared for wintery weather and its action plan has swung into force.
The council’s fleet of
gritters has been on test runs in recent weeks and we have been closely
monitoring road temperatures through this morning’s snowfall, with the fleet on
standby throughout today. The road temperature remained above freezing last night,
this morning and into today, but the current forecast for the rest of today
(Tuesday) indicates cold and wet conditions followed by a rapid drop in
temperatures during this evening. We are gritting the network this afternoon
with the potential for a further gritting run during this evening. It’s likely
that the wet roads, melting snow and slush from today will freeze overnight and
drivers should take extra care when venturing out from this evening. Drivers
are also reminded to make sure windscreens, vehicle lights and number plates
are free of any snow.
The routes we grit is
determined by our winter
plan, which is on the council’s website. The council has also activated its
so-called SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) plan, whereby shelter is
provided for rough sleepers in the cold conditions; if you find yourself
sleeping rough or see anyone sleeping outdoors on the streets of
Buckinghamshire, please contact Streetlink via their website https://thestreetlink.org.uk/
or call 0300 500 0914.
Warm and welcoming space
is available in the Buckinghamshire Council Walton Street office in Aylesbury
and the council office at Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, as well as any of
the council’s libraries.
Nearly all schools have
remained open today; parents and carers are advised to check their schools
usual communication channels as schools provide updates and closure information
directly to their school communities. The council also publishes the list
of closed schools on our website.
Steven Broadbent is
Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport. He
said:
“Snow
can fall this early in the year and it did surprise some this morning, but as
ever, we are prepared for what the weather brings. We keep road temperatures
under constant observation and will grit when the surface temperature is
forecast to drop below 0.5c, which can be several degrees lower than the air
temperature.
I
do urge people to take great care out on Buckinghamshire’s roads today, tonight
and for the rest of the week while we experience these colder conditions. The
roads are clearly very wet today and we then expect freezing temperatures to
follow; while our gritters will be out, we cannot grit every route in the
county and there is potential for ice to form on roads and pavements.
I
thank our teams who will be out in the cold conditions at all hours keeping the
roads safe and please give our gritters a wave if you see them go past, if, of
course, it is safe to do so!”