As freezing road surface temperatures were predicted overnight, with snow also having fallen across the borough, the council’s gritting crews and snow clearance teams have been in operation.
Around 200 miles of priority routes were treated last night and earlier today with further gritting dependent on weather forecasts. Work to clear snow from pavements in town centre locations, transport interchanges and approaches to schools has also taken place, with teams from Riney, Veolia and idverde all involved.
Councillor Nicholas Bennett J.P., Executive Councillor for Transport, Highways and Road Safety said, “Our gritting crews have been in action and are prepared to operate for as long as is necessary, with the priority routes identified on our website. We have seen much heavier snow in the south of the borough and we have focused attention on Biggin Hill and the surrounding country lanes. Our snow clearance work has also been taking place on our busiest pavements.”
Recycling and waste collections are operating today but it is anticipated that some collections will be delayed and disrupted because of the snow and ice conditions, with manual handling for collection crews on pavements particularly challenging. Residents are advised to check the website for updates, where delays to collections will be published at the end of the day when known.
The council’s aim during bad weather, is to keep traffic moving around the borough. To assist with this, detailed road forecasts tell them when frost, ice or snow is likely so they can respond accordingly. However, it’s impossible to treat all 500 miles of roads and over 800 miles of pavements, so the main routes are prioritised.
These are roads that are regularly used and serve main bus routes for instance, also approaches to hospitals, fire, police and ambulance stations including steep routes. In the event of snow, street cleaning teams will focus on clearing snow for pedestrians in areas of high footfall, transferring roles and clearing snow from pavements near the main shopping centres, schools, bus and train stations.
Snow Friends help out too of course, and concentrate on clearing the local, residential roads so more of the borough is free of snow and ice. During the season, follow @BromleySnow for updates on Twitter or visit our website www.bromley.gov.uk/winter
ENDS
Notes to editors: The A21 and part of the A232 (West Wickham to Locksbottom) are maintained by Transport for London (TfL). Consequently, TfL are responsible for gritting these roads, which form part of Red Route.
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.