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Report SW/10/10 Name of Incident: Severe Weather Date & time of update 10 January 2010 as at 1500

Weather

Latest for the next few days over the SE region from the Met Office. Sadly the Met Office is now forecasting a 60% or greater change of severe weather affecting the area in the next few days. Specifically there is a risk of severe weather affecting parts of southern and central England on Tuesday. This involves a band of snow moving slowly northeastwards during Tuesday evening and the first part of Wednesday before easing off. Accumulations of 2- 5 cm are likely in many places through this period, perhaps up to 5 -10 cm in places. Due to the wind there may also be drifting. There is a further risk of more snow on Wednesday but more details regarding this will follow tomorrow. It is coming from West and therefore we may be on the periphery of the impact from this weather but we need to be prepared. The website link below highlights the risk http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/se/se_forecast_warnings.html After Wednesday it is anticipated that it will calm down a bit with a bit of cloud allowing temperatures to increase slightly resulting in a slow thaw. Please look at the Met Office weather site for up to date information.

Roads and Transport Update

Today we have been treating areas around some of the schools which were struggling to open, we have also been targeting other ‘hot spots’. The gritters are now going out again tonight to grit the contingency network only due to the Government direction to cut our salt usage by 25%. That said tomorrow we hope to assist other areas where there are continuing difficulties using salt sourced which is unsuitable for application by gritter. In addition the Transport Service is continuing to support our Community Care service by providing 4x4’s thus allowing allowing staff to gain access to our clients and provide the hot meal service. They have also recommenced the transport service to the schools that are open. This service has proven patchy today due to the conditions. We are striving with our contractors to improve this subject to the weather conditions

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Road Closures

Strawberry Hill in Newbury remains closed, diversions are along West Street. This will be reviewed daily but remains in force at the moment.

Schools

Most schools managed to get open today, those that didn’t have been striving to do so for tomorrow and we have been trying to help where we can. Some are still operating late starts or not all years so please keep an eye on websites for further updates.

We are updating our Council website with information as we get it however the advice for parents is that if you have not heard from their school directly then please

listen to BBC Radio Berkshire, Heart FM or Newbury Sound

check the school website – many will be updated on Sunday and again on Monday morning.

contact the school directly

check the Council’s website. Many school details are already there.

Do this BEFORE setting out.

Waste

We did manage to collect around 40% of the scheduled collections, however some areas are still inaccessible. We will keep assessing these areas that did not receive a collection today and if we can gain access later in the week we will. We appreciate that not having your bins collected is inconvenient however we must ensure that safety comes first in these situations.

On Tuesday 12th January we will be attempting to collect Tuesdays scheduled rubbish and recycling collections but again each area will assessed as we go. There may well be areas that we still can not access but please bear with us.

The green waste collection will remain suspended until the backlog of rubbish and recycling has been collected.

Newtown Road Household Waste Recycling Centre, Newbury opened today at 11am after clearing ice/snow from the site. We are planning to open on Tuesday as normal but please be aware that any further severe weather conditions could delay the opening time. However the advice is still to consider if the journey is essential before travelling.

Any updates will be posted on the Council website http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15186

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Community Care.

Council staff continue to ensure the visits are made to our clients in the community.

I will repeat at this stage that there are concerns about some of the vulnerable people in the community some may not have been out of their home for some time. As a result we would encourage you to be a good neighbour and check that everyone is safe, healthy and has enough provisions. Below are some details on how you can help your vulnerable neighbours

1. Visit those in your communities you think may need help - even if you don’t know them. Please don’t assume someone else has done so, it’s better they get many visits than none.

2. Make elderly and vulnerable neighbours aware of the council contact centre number 01635 42400 and to call us if they are in difficulties we can provide advice and support.

3. If you think people need specific help with heating, food or medical issues, please contact the council, as above, and let us know.

4. Sometimes just a simple phone call can do a lot to reassure people who may be anxious and depressed.

Other Council Services

Turnhams Green Offices – Closed

For further information on the situation, guidance and advice from other agencies please see the links on the Severe Weather Information on the front of our website.

Anyone wanting to report an Emergency for the Council, should call 01635 42161. Further Advice

In addition, due to the conditions please head the following advice:

Dial 999 only in emergencies

Call NHS direct instead of the ambulance unless it is an emergency

Be aware of large amounts of snow on high buildings and trees coming off them as the snow melts and becomes heavy - this may be in slab type form.

Be aware of icicles on buildings as any thaw takes place, when they fall they can be like knives.

Don't walk on frozen ponds and lakes.

Be aware of ponds and other water systems which are currently covered in snow.

Be prepared for power outages and careful with naked flames and heating systems that have not been used for a while or maintained properly.

Be prepared for burst pipes as any thaw starts.

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Looking Ahead

Flooding Risk

We are liaising with the Met Office and the Environment Agency regarding the potential risk of flooding, particularly if there is a rapid thaw.

The flood forecasting centre is closely monitoring the catchment areas and the weather conditions, particularly for any changes. Modelling is underway in order to advice on rapid that and slow thaw expectations. More detail is due in the next few days.

Everyone should be aware of this and should consider what they should do to protect their homes from the risk of flooding.

More information on this will be forwarded as the conditions change.