Croydon Council is urging residents to plan ahead for snow forecast next week as the borough’s staff and contractors continue their preparations for the cold snap.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow between 4pm on Monday and 11.55pm on Tuesday for London, including Croydon. The warning forecasts “persistent” snow in some parts and freezing temperatures, bringing potential delays on roads, rail cancellations and cutting off rural communities.
Around 140 council staff and contractors are ready to tackle snow and clear roads and pavements, ranging from gritting teams and roads inspectors to street cleaners and housing caretakers.
Six council gritting vehicles will be covering 150 miles of the borough’s roads before and during snow and icy conditions, including tonight from 7pm. The focus is on gritting main roads first, with other priority locations including:
• Town centres
• Access to schools, hospitals, care homes and railway stations
• Bus routes
• Steep roads
Secondary gritting routes are salted once the primary ones have been done, and a map of all these routes can be found on the council website. Transport for London is responsible for gritting red routes such as the A23 Brighton Road, A22 Godstone Road and A232 Addiscombe Road. It also oversees the gritting of tram stops and nearby pavements.
The council has a total of over 1,500 tonnes of salt in stock. Highways staff can also order further salt stocks if needed.
As well as roads, footpaths and pavements will be gritted, with priority given to locations including town centres, local shopping parades and transport hubs. Croydon has 577 salt bins across the borough for members of the public to use on streets and pavements.
As usual, round-the-clock help from the council’s social services emergency team will ensure that vulnerable or at-risk residents receive the help they need, and the council website also gives updates on which schools are open or closed. Council refuse teams will also continue to collect household black bag waste and recycling.
For more information on how to prepare for snowy and icy weather, visit the council’s website. The website also has tips for drivers who are out and about in icy conditions.
“The council is well-prepared to help limit disruption from this forecast snow and ice, and we will have staff and contractors available 24 hours a day to keep the borough going.
“We also urge residents to plan ahead, from checking traffic conditions before they travel to factoring in extra time for their journey. A cold snap can be especially difficult for ill or elderly people, so we also urge our residents to keep an eye out for their neighbours.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment
