Continued severe weather conditions update
Update: 12th January 2010
The current cold weather is the most prolonged spell of freezing conditions across the UK for 29 years with Birmingham not escaping the freezing temperatures, ice and snow.
This article includes updates on gritting, refuge collections, and advice on grit bins
The latest update on Birmingham’s gritting situation was reported by Cllr Len Gregory to full council on 12th Janurary. The highlights are:
- Central Government have introduced the Salt Cell. This was first introduced last winter and has been reactivated to provide a fair and equitable distribution of rock salt across the country.
- The Salt Cell comprises of Government, LGA, Highways Agency and Salt Suppliers.
925 tonnes of rock salt remained in stock (as of 12 Jan) which equates to 9 gritting operations (runs). NOTE: this figure will continually change- 140 tonnes were delivered Monday 11th January 2010 as agreed by the Salt Cell.
- Highways have procured 600 tonnes of unrefined table salt which although unsuitable for gritting vehicles is being mixed with sand and used to refill grit bins and treat footways.
- Government have asked for a 25% saving on gritting by all Local Authorities with the potential to reduce by 40% and 60% if necessary.
- Birmingham has reduced spreads from 20g to 10g which complies with 25% reduction and meets 40%. If the reduction to 60% was necessary then grit bin refill and footway operation would be suspended.
- The Birmingham priority gritted network has been treated on 34 occasions over 28 consecutive nights – the previous record was 14 consecutive nights.
- The priority gritted network comprises of 1,182km (734miles) or 50% of the total length of carriageway in the city.
- This network is made up of 27 priority routes which includes the major network plus all frequent bus routes, roads identified by the emergency services (Blue Routes) and major housing estate access.
Highways have and will continue to respond to the needs of professional partners, emergency services, bus operators and key utility operators i.e. Severn Trent Water. - Highways staff continue with the second complete refill of all 1034 highway grit bins.
The City Centre and designated shopping centre footways have been gritted and cleared repeatedly within the resources available. - The forecast towards the end of the week is for warmer daytime temperatures but potentially sub zero overnight.
- Councillor Gregory wishes to formally thank all the Winter Maintenance Team for their efforts to keep Birmingham moving and in particular the gritting operatives and fleet maintenance staff for their hard work in unpleasant conditions.
View further details of Birmingham City Council’s winter maintenance plans
Make sure you are prepared this winter, view our video clip
View our advice on travelling in the car
Refuse collections update (13th January)
Most refuse and recycling collections are now up to date, with the exception of some outstanding work where some side roads are not as accessible and the sensible decision is to only carry out collections where safe to do so. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Obviously the disruption is regrettable, but unavoidable due to the road conditions at present, public safety must be paramount when vehicles of 26 tonne are involved, in order to avoid the threat of potential accidents and damage to parked vehicles in icy conditions.
Today we have been out in some areas but the worsening weather conditions have meant that we have not been able to do as much as originally planned.
We are committed to clear any backlog over the next few days, weather permitting.
Advice on grit bins
There are over 1000 grit bins provided across the city. These bins are usually placed off the treated network at approved locations and are to assist road users on a self-help basis. They cover potentially hazardous locations such as gradients to busy junctions and steep hills and sharp bends.
Grit is provided for use on the public highway and grit bins are regularly topped up during the winter period. Residents who require grit or salt for their properties need to purchase supplies from local builders merchants. Please do not use the contents of the grit bins for any other area than the public highway.
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