Exminster.net

BRIEFING - Sunday 10th January (5pm)

Devon County Council has pledged extra help in getting Devon back on the roads tomorrow morning, with extra grit to improve access to secondary schools across the county.

There has been a slight thaw in some places today and fears over further extensive snow falls are now receding. However, there has been some snow on high ground today, many minor roads remain dangerous and road temperatures continue to be below freezing. There is a risk of widespread ice in the morning with temperatures overnight expected to be -4 degrees.

Local decisions will be made about school transport in the morning and it is hoped that some school transport can operate on primary routes and in more urban areas wherever it is safe or practicable. However there is likely to be significant further disruption to school transport, especially in the North and East of the county and in rural areas. Parents are advised to contact their local school transport operator directly for information.

Schools across the county are being encouraged to re-open wherever it is safe to do so. To ensure improved access to major secondary and Community College sites across the county, the decision has been made to grit key access roads and main entrances in the morning where possible or practical.

Parents are advised to contact their local school directly for up to date advice on any potential school closure or listen to their local radio station.

For general salting or highway enquiries, please look at the County Council website (updated throughout the day) – www.devon.gov.uk – or call the My Devon Customer Service Centre on 0845 155 1004.

The County Council is treating the primary road network in Devon to help keep Devon moving. All ‘A’ roads and other major routes are currently being treated with salt during this winter weather period. With Met Office predictions that this weather is set to continue for the next 10 days, Devon County Council is aiming to continue to treat and keep open the primary road network (pdf), some 1,600 miles of roads – 20% of the roads in Devon.

There are 1,550 grit bins located throughout the county, which are being restocked regularly (where they can be accessed). These are available for residents to use to grit the public roads and pavements only and not for private driveway use.

Highway depots are now closed to the public and salt or grit is not available for public use from these highway depots.  The public and Parish Councils should not visit depots.  If you must travel, please use the public roadside grit bins that are nearest to you.

• Estate roads will not be treated. Please use the grit bins available for treating these roads.
• We cannot respond to reports of ice which aren’t on the primary road network.
• We are currently trying to keep paths in town centres clear of snow.
• Just because a road has been treated it does not mean there will not be any ice – drive with care.
• If it snows at the weekend, Devon County Council’s priority will again be to keep the primary road network open.

If you must travel, be prepared. Make sure someone knows where you are going, wear warm clothes, take with you: a charged mobile phone, a shovel, blanket, torch, de-icer and high visibility clothing.

This unprecedented winter weather period is being experienced not only nationally but also in Europe which means there have been very high demands on salt supplies. Some local authorities have already limited the roads they are treating. Devon County Council is aiming to maintain treatment of the primary road network during this predicted winter weather period over the next 10 days.

Devon County Council is responsible for over 12,800 km (8,000 miles) of road from major ‘A’ roads to narrow country lanes. This is the longest highway network in England.

You can also keep up to date via my website www.alanconnett.mycouncillor.org.uk