Published Thursday 1 March 2018 at 13:32
As the country prepares for more ice and snowy conditions, residents are being asked to show extra vigilance and ensure vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives are safe as the big freeze bites.
With forecasters predicting severe weather – the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice, with temperatures of -10 forecast in some areas in Blackburn with Darwen throughout March 1st-3rd with Police warning people to only travel if necessary.
If you have to drive, the Met Office and Highways Agency have given advice to people about driving in severe weather. (http://bit.ly/2hmxQSy / http://bit.ly/2Ae9aQc) This includes everything from snow, to ice, fog and floods. It also includes suggestions for a “grab bag” for your car with essential items in case you get stuck.
The Council has a stockpile of salt and full grit squad in place to help keep roads open and state of the art gritters, including a new snow blower, have been deployed as soon as temperatures drop.
Also street cleansing staff have been supporting bin collection colleagues to help get to as many properties as possible by spreading grit in front of the wagons.
People in the borough are also asked to be watchful and look out for the vulnerable in their communities, people can help by checking on neighbours, ensuring they are warm and have food supplies.
In addition to gritting roads and clearing snow drifts, the Council will continue looking out for more vulnerable members of the communities this winter. Local teams will assist the elderly and vulnerable in their communities, from delivering hot meals to carrying out emergency household repairs and providing heating.
Cllr Arshid Mahmood, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Prevenion Services, said:
As always, our dedicated teams have been checking in on elderly and vulnerable residents to make sure they are okay but we would ask communities and neighbours to look-out for each other.
Whether it’s a quick knock at the door to check on an elderly neighbour, or helping to carry out emergency repairs, everyone has a role to play to keep each other safe this winter.
We do hear of instances where central heating boilers go off or pilot lights fail. In particular for the very old and infirm it can make them more vulnerable. If you know of anyone who has no heating or hot water please contact the Council and we will try and find assistance through one of our partner agencies or the voluntary sector. Whilst we cannot fix boilers or central heating we may be able to provide emergency heating.
Planning for winter remains a key priority for us, despite ongoing funding pressures and competing demands on their limited resources, we are doing our very best to protect residents from floods, ice, and wintry conditions.
If you’re going out, remember to wrap up warm and take care on slippery surfaces. Discuss with friends and neighbours about clearing snow and ice from in front of your houses and public walkways nearby.
The Council constantly monitors the weather, with up-to-the-minute reports to stay one step ahead. Depots are filled with salt and gritters are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice to make sure our local roads are clear and open to our residents where possible.
The Council will continue to update websites and social media throughout the winter with information on weather, road conditions, school closures and gritting routes. You can follow us on Facebook via BwD Roads