Council warms up its plans for winter
Bridgend County Borough Council has started warming up its plans for dealing with severe weather this winter.
The council’s Winter Maintenance Plan for 2011/12 details how the authority intends to salt roads, clear snow and keep traffic moving around the county borough.
The last three winters have been particularly harsh throughout the UK and culminated in December 2010 with the lowest recorded temperatures since records began more than 100 years ago.
However, with the exception of the Bwlch mountain road, the council’s Winter Maintenance Plan has ensured that the main highways network in Bridgend County Borough has remained open throughout the cold weather.
This year’s plan features additional streets which will be dealt with as a priority immediately after the main highways network has been treated, taking into account important aspects such as centres for the emergency services, bus routes, roads leading to isolated villages, streets on steep inclines, industrial and shopping areas, schools and approaches to cemeteries, GP surgeries and care homes.
With a total of 5,800 tonnes of rock salt stockpiled in readiness for the winter period, plans are in place if fresh supplies are required and also for prioritising routes in the event that the weather is particularly harsh over a sustained period of time.
Councillor Phil White, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Every year, a great deal of effort goes into the preparation of our Winter Maintenance Plan to ensure that the council is well prepared for severe weather conditions.
“Unfortunately, dealing with snow and ice does not come cheap, especially when you factor in the damage to the highways infrastructure, the cost of additional pothole repairs or extra salt purchases, and last year the authority faced a total cost of £1.2m at a time when our resources are being severely tested.
“But I want to thank our staff who have prepared this very important plan, and to recognise the efforts of the crews who work around the clock, often in terrible conditions, to ensure that the county borough’s roads remain clear and usable.”
- Last Updated: 15/12/2011
- Rate this page
- Back to top
