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!”