Weather Forecast
Snow was continuous throughout the day today causing treacherous conditions.
The Met Office predicts that early this evening, temperatures will plummet with clearing skys with road surface temperatures falling to -9c. This is likely to lead to the most hazardous driving conditions experienced this winter. Road and pavement conditions will be even more 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.
Highways update
There are nationwide problems with the supply chain of salt which does not appear to be improving and there will be a need to conserve and ration salt stocks. Although the Council has a reasonable stock at the present time, the appalling weather conditions are making the situation difficult.
The Bath & North East Somerset Council gritting fleet will be going out this evening to do another full salting run on prioritised routes. Gritting vehicles will be available around the clock to tackle any specific problems on the main network.
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. There will be very limited salting of pavements and car parks because of the nationwide problem with the salt supply chain.
The Council will continue to monitor road conditions and will provide additional salting and gritting on priority routes when required.
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 to keep shopping areas and car parks clear once priority routes have been attended to. However, there will be very limited salting in these areas because of the nationwide problem with the salt supply chain.
Public Transport
The Council will issue a service update as early as possible tomorrow morning. For more information on the wider public transport network, bus passengers can call Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
Waste and Recycling
All services were cancelled today.
Thursday waste collections in Bath & North East Somerset Council are cancelled. Please don't put your waste out for collection.
Residents will be notified when the Council intends to collect waste from cancelled collections.
All three Recycling Centres closed on Thursday.
Schools Update
All schools in the district will be closed tomorrow. Full details are on www.bathnes.gov.uk/schoolclosures
All nurseries and Children’s Centres will be closed.
Other Services
Adult Services
If you have a vulnerable neighbour, please try and check their well-being during the cold weather.
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 will be a very limited community meals service tomorrow. The Council will prioritise any deliveries to those customers who can't cook for themselves. We have phoned all others to tell them that we may not be able to deliver hot meals tomorrow.
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.
Leisure Services
Chew Valley Sports Centre will be closed on Thursday 7 January 2010
Aquaterra Leisure - the Council’s leisure centre contractor - are planning to open sites as usual, however some classes and courses may be cancelled and suggest people contact their local leisure centre before setting out on their journey.
Bath Sports and Leisure Centre - 01225 486905
Keynsham Leisure Centre - 01225 395164
South Wansdyke Sports Centre - 01761 415522
Culverhay Sports Centre - 01225 480882
Council Golf Courses will be closed until further notice
For more information
1. The Council’s website will be updated regularly to keep residents up to date about general information: www.bathnes.gov.uk
2. All other enquiries should be made to Council Connect on 01225 394041 between 8am – 6pm weekdays (Wednesday 9.30am – 6pm);
3. Outside of these times the Council’s Out of Office Emergency number is 01225 477 477;
4. People can email on council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk or SMS text on 07797806545. These can be contacted 24 hours a day and a response will be sent next working day. These methods should not be used for emergency communication.
