Prepare for another big freeze: county

The report sets out how the county will take action to improve winter maintenance services after East Sussex was struck by the most severe weather experienced for 30 years last winter.

The effect on residents prompted a review of services and looked at how the county council and other organisations coped, identifying what lessons could be learned.

The report’s recommendations include keeping local residents informed with maps of road gritting routes, empowering people to clear snow and ice themselves, and storing salt on behalf of district and borough councils

The report also sets out working with residents’ associations on the supply of grit bins, providing Hippo bags of salt to particularly snow-struck areas, such as pedestrian precincts, that would not be gritted as part of the road gritting regime.

The county council has over 8,000 tonnes of salt ready for use on the roads this winter and says its priority continues to be keeping the county’s main roads free of snow and ice to allow people to travel to work and deliveries to be made to shops.

Councillor Matthew Lock, lead cabinet member for transport and environment, said everyone needs to be prepared for another big freeze.

“As we move into the winter months we will be talking to residents about how they can best prepare.

“If we experience similar weather to last winter, it is crucial that we work together with residents and other authorities to help maintain essential services.

“Last year we helped transport staff to and from hospital, delivered hot meals to the most vulnerable using our four wheel drive vehicles, worked with care home providers to ensure vulnerable and isolated people received vital care, and redirected staff to help in residential care homes.”

Some residents were critical of the lack of gritting on footpaths last winter but Cllr Locke said main roads take priority: “We don’t salt footpaths and pedestrian precincts, but we are reviewing the locations of grit bins and providing salt storage bags at key locations.

“If you can, clear pavements of snow and ice outside your home or business, because whilst everyone would like their road and pavement gritted, we have to prioritise major roads rather than pavements to prevent the most serious accidents.

“Route gritting maps will be sent to parish and town councils to show which roads are gritted and this information will be available on our website.”

• For more information on the Cabinet report visit the county council’s website at: www.east sussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil