As temperatures begin to drop, Croydon is gearing up winter plans to ensure we are ready for seasonal weather.
While it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen over the winter months ahead, the council has taken a number of actions to ensure residents can travel safely through the borough.
The winter gritting fleet is in place, comprised of eight low emission gritting vehicles, and one Telehandler loading shovel. Drivers have already had a head start heading out to familiarise themselves with their various gritting routes.
Vehicles are fitted with tracking systems, allowing the team to divert the nearest resources to areas where urgent, ad-hoc gritting action may be required – such as burst water pipe.
Croydon’s 578 salt bins are being topped up by the council’s contractor, who ensures that the bins are at least two-thirds full throughout the season. Winter footway gritting operations are undertaken by Veolia and operate on a priority system.
The council’s salt barn has been fully stocked with approximately 4200 tonnes of salt (enough to grit from London to Auckland, New Zealand and back), with plans in place to receive more salt from suppliers at short notice.
Learn more about gritting and salt on the council website.
Being aware on the roads is especially important during the winter months. As daylight hours decrease, drivers should take extra care to watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, and remember to follow speed limits.
During winter, roads tend to expand and contract in the weather, making them more susceptible to potholes. Residents are encouraged to report potholes to the council using the Love Clean Streets app.
As leaves fall from trees, blocked gullies become a larger issue. We have increased our street cleansing operations to clear leaves. Across the borough, the council also routinely cleanses gullies using high pressure machinery, on a rotational and needs basis. If residents see a gully in need of cleansing, they are encouraged to contact our resilience department at 0208 726 6000 or via the council’s online reporting site.
“We are as prepared as we can be should we face extreme weather, and have plans in place to keep traffic moving as freely as possible around the borough. I urge everyone to take care on the streets whether driving, walking or cycling and to check in on vulnerable neighbours in the event of significant rain or snowfall.”
Councillor Muhammad Ali, cabinet member for sustainable Croydon
On an ongoing basis, the council works closely with the emergency and voluntary services, utility companies and other London boroughs to plan for a coordinated response to major emergencies, including the problems associated with severe weather.
