
Friday saw a good 4 to 6 inches of snow in Downs Ward, and this looks like it will be around for the next few days and topped up on Sunday as light snow is currently forecast.
Ploughing:
The Priority One routes (See last post) are all pretty good and passable.
The Priority Two routes have not yet been ploughed, nor gritted. I am awaiting a response from HCC on when they will be able to get to these. (This is the route in from part of South Road onto North road and then down Francis Road.
Grit Bins:
I have checked most of the grit bins this morning and reported empty bins on Wasdale Close, Cherville Close, Holdenhurst Close, Juniper road, First Avenue. If I have missed one then you can either let me know, or report it to Hampshire County Council on the link here: http://maps.hants.gov.uk/roadproblems/MapLocate.aspx?calltype=EMPT&class=SALT&
No bin? It is going to be difficult to do much about that now, but if your road does not have a grit bin, and would benefit from one, then we can ask HCC to assess the road for one. The criteria they need to satisfy are below. If you feel your road could have benefited from one, and it meets the criteria below, then please let me know and I will follow this up. I am asking HCC for one at the bottom of Wasdale Close, and we managed to get one installed at Juniper road last week.
The bin must not obstruct sight lines
Bins are normally be placed on highway land
There must be sufficient space for the bin and for the bin to be refilled
The bins will be placed in areas of significant pedestrian and traffic use
The bins will be placed in places near to where there is a significant slope.
EHDC Services:
Please visit http://www.easthampshire.org to get a listing of services that have been affected by the weather.
Bin collections
There are no bin collections in East Hampshire on Fridays, with crews concentrating on rounds in Winchester. In the event of the severe icy conditions or significant snow fall lasting into next week, waste collections may have to be suspended. Collections will resume once conditions improve. Should your bin/sack/box not be collected on your normal collection day please leave it out at your normal collection point. We will return to empty it as soon as possible. Based on current weather forecasts this should be by the end of next week.
To assist collection crews, please could we ask that you make sure that the bin/sack is not frozen to the ground and that the bin lid is free to open. If the period of bad weather extends into next week, please check the http://www.easthampshire.org website for further information, or call Customer Services on 0300 300 0013.
In the meantime I bring you news from the North of England. The BBC have reported that Telford’s artificial ski slope has been closed due to the snow… I suspect they will get some stick for that.
Guy.