Severe Weather
EMERGENCY PROVISION DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 2011 / 2012
Due to the closure of the Council Offices over the Christmas period Horsham District Council will operate a very limited emergency response. The offices will be closed during the following period:
Starts From: 3.00pm on Friday 23 December 2011
Runs Until: 8:45am on Wednesday 28 December 2011
Details of the limited emergency provision are as follows:
- All council offices will be closed during the Christmas period and no staff will be present at these facilities.
- The clearance of pavements and roads is the responsibility of West Sussex County Council. Whilst the District Council has helped out by voluntarily clearing key routes during office opening hours there are no District Council staff available for snow clearance or ice treatment on local pavements or other identified routes across the district between the dates above.
- In the event of any urgent matter which cannot wait until the offices reopen on 28 December people should call the on duty officer on 07801 900491 to request assistance. Please note this should only be used in instances where there is a risk to life or property.
- Some provision will be made for the use of 4 x 4 vehicles through the duty officer scheme to assist members of the public with emergencies only.
- Members of staff will be on call throughout the Christmas period to answer calls regarding the Community Link Alarms, Housing needs and dangerous structures and urgent public health issues.
Recommendations:
During this period it is recommended that all Parish and Neighbourhood Councils and residents review their winter plans or arrangements to effectively deal with the disruption caused by the severe weather events.
All residents are asked to demonstrate neighbourliness and volunteer to help out elderly and vulnerable residents during the severe weather. Where possible all communities and shop keepers should engage in self help and snow clearance outside their shops and properties to make the pavements as safe as possible. Advice and guidance on snow clearance and the snow code can be found on the direct gov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868
A normal response from Horsham District Council will take effect on the morning of Wednesday 28 December if required and clearance of the priority routes and car parks will begin at the earliest opportunity if staff volunteers permit.
ADVICE ON CLEARING SNOW and ICE FROM PAVEMENTS YOURSELF
Two useful information sheets on dealing with adverse weather are available below to print off, one for individuals and one offering advice to businesses.
THE SNOW CODE
Tips on clearing snow and ice from pavements or public spaces
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful; don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. Don’t be put off clearing paths because you are afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
1. Clear the snow or ice early in the day
It is easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it so if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight. Always move snow to a porous surface such as a grass verge or garden. Do not move snow to a location where it will create another risk such as another part of the pavement, road or where people are likely to walk.
2. Use salt or sand - not water
If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins - this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage.
If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These will not stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
3. Take care where you move the snow
When you are shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block other people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared firs, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
4. Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths
If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact your local council.
Should icy roads be expected, it would be wise to undertake precautionary treatment before the predicted event to allow time for salt to turn into brine. If the ice has already formed or snow already fallen reactive treatments such as snow ploughing then salt dispersal should be undertaken.
Different spreading rates may be used depending on the severity of the anticipated conditions. The rate will normally be 10 or 20 grams per square metre but may be increased to 40 grams per square metre in certain circumstances. Typically:
- 10 grams of salt is applied to each metre square of road surface as a precautionary treatment when surface temperatures are forecast to fall between 0OC and -2 OC and ice or hoar frost is anticipated.
- 20 grams of salt is applied to each metre square of road surface as a precautionary treatment when surface temporaries are forecast to fall below -2 OC and ice or hoar frost is anticipated.
- 40 grams of salt is applied to each metre square of road surface as a precautionary treatment when snow is anticipated.
A spread of 10 grams per square metre is not immediately obvious to the naked eye, however the image below clearly shows that 10 grams of salt is roughly the equivalent of 13 millilitres. This is about 2½ teaspoons worth of salt per square meter.
De-icing road salt
Salt is the preferred material used for treating the Precautionary Salting Network. When the salt is spread on road surfaces it combines with moisture on the surface or air to form a brine solution, which freezes at a lower temperature than rainwater.
Hippo Bags
It is an objective of WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL to deliver One ton bags of salt mix to agreed locations throughout the district during times of adverse weather for use on the public highway as a form of self-help. If the correct amounts of salt are used for precautionary or reactionary treatment the One ton hippo bags should allow for cover and treatment over an extensive area.
Weather:
Latest Weather Forecast
Current warnings of severe weather
Severe weather advice
Advice on clearing snow
RAC winter driving tips
Travel:
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