“Our gritting crews have shown resilience, courage and determination…”
The words of Cheshire East Councillor David Brickhill today, following a challenging week for all winter services across the Authority.
The Cabinet member with responsibility for the Environment added:
“I would like to thank our snow clearance and gritting crews for working round the clock to keep our main roads clear during this extremely harsh cold spell.”
“Many of our crews have travelled many miles to reach various depots and attend to our priority routes. Over a hundred operatives are out on our streets, salting footways across Cheshire East by hand. Their dedication is something which should be commended.”
“With the cold snap set to continue, I expect another difficult week lies ahead for our gritting teams. They will continue to attend to all priority routes where possible and we will be managing our salt reserves very carefully.”
Since just before Christmas, Cheshire East Council has used around 13,500 tonnes of salt on roads and footways. Some roads have been gritted up to three times a day, morning afternoon and night.
In more recent days, greater priority has had to be given to those areas worst hit around the north of Cheshire East.
Councillor Brickhill continued: “The severity of the winter conditions has meant that it has not been possible to grit everywhere and salt and the manpower to lay it has been limited to priority routes, particularly those communities more seriously affected in the north of our area.”
“The workers have toiled around the clock and are stretched to full capacity. At one time earlier in the week, refuse crews who slogged their way through the snow to report for duty ended up clearing footways by hand when their vehicles couldn’t get on the roads."
“Our vulnerable residents have continued to receive care and although the schools have had to close in many cases, I’m sure the youngsters have had a fine time in the snow. Perhaps they’re the only ones.”
“We continue to urge everyone to take extra care, whether driving or walking, and to look out for neighbours who are less able. And we thank you for your patience at this difficult time.”
Winter weather updates will be the placed in the forum and to keep up to date with the latest weather forecast from the Met Office visit our weather section which is currently showing freezing temperatures but mainly sunny for the weekend.
