11/01/2010

Ceredigion - Monday night gritting report

Salt Stocks – 510 tonnes
Salt received today – 96 tonnes from Salt Union in Cheshire
Salt and grit spread in the last 24 hours – approx 120 tonnes

Primary routes - 2 pre salt runs carried out County wide. Secondary routes – Gritting of more secondary routes carried out today to all the main towns and main route into the main County settlements where possible.

Grit Bins. Whilst the Department has been restocking grit bins when access and supplies allow, the following press release has been issued:

The effectiveness of the restocking is being reviewed as there is evidence that the bins are being emptied within the hour and the grit removed for use other than spreading on the carriageway adjacent to the bin.

Of greater concern is the suggestion that some are taking advantage of the cold weather by stealing grit and then cold calling on the elderly offering to grit their driveway or path for a charge. The Council’s Principal Trading Standards Officer, is advising members of the public who are approached by any such person to be on their guard; to always ask for identification and if possible make a note of any vehicle and its registration number. Anyone who is approached by a person offering to grit their path or driveway is advised to contact the Council’s Trading Standards Section on 01545 572105

Road closures due to weather conditions:
All primary routes are open

Roads closed but passable with 4X4
Borth to Clarach, Cwmystwyth, Glanyrafon Farm, Dyffryn Castell to the Ford.

Police have requested closure of the road between Blaenwaun, Gwenlli and Caerwedros Square and the road from Caerwedros Square to the Crown Inn, Llwyndafydd. The roads have been treated but remain treacherous.

The road between Capel Dewi and Llandysul, known as Penrhiw is also closed.

The refuse collection service still remains suspended due to the staff being transferred to winter maintenance duties. This will be reviewed on Wednesday

The Highways Department continues to assist with meals on wheels, with the assistance of the Mid Wales 4x4 Club. They have also assisted the Health Trust and Social Services through the deliveries of essential drugs and transporting 20 carers to their clients.

The Department is still responding to boiler failures and an increasing number of burst pipes, so all in all the workers are extremely busy.

Manpower deployed in the last 24 hours 170 using 50 vehicles.

All Local Authorities have been instructed to reduce salt usage by 25% to conserve stocks over the coming weeks. The Highways Department will continue to monitor salt usage and depending on the weather over the next few days and the availability of salt supplies, may reach the point where the treatment of secondary routes will be reduiced or curtailed. Tiredness is beginning to creep in, especially for the drivers who have been out day and night for the past week, often driving in hazardous conditions.