East Riding Snow Clearing and Gritting Update - 15.00hrs 2nd December 2010

Update for Thursday 2 December 3.00pm


During this morning the fleet of gritters have been focused on keeping the roads open on the snow clearance network covering all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads which is around 800km of main roads across the East Riding. Garrowby Hill and the higher parts of the wolds continues to be a massive challenge for us as we continue to get snowfall and drifting caused by strong winds. The main roads are passable with extreme care. However, there are very difficult driving conditions in rural locations on the high ground.

Wind blowing snow around has been the biggest problem this morning. We have been constantly ploughing along the A165 Bridlington to Hull road, problems in Withernsea which has been the feature of continued ploughing and on the higher ground, particularly across the Wolds where we have had seen extensive drifting this morning. For example, one road was ploughed through clear and 30 minutes later there was a 3 ft drift back across the road which gives you an idea of some of the issues we face. We have engaged a number of farmers to get a road into some villages which became cut off around Sledmere, Garton, Huggate, Warter, Bempton, Flamborough, Swinefleet.

Scattered snow showers continue to blow in from the North Sea and with the swirling wind this has meant concentrating on the main road network.

Staff deployed from bin collections, street sweeping and gully emptying have been out removing snow and set out below provides an idea of the areas we have been working in.

Hedon Depot

Aldbrough, Burstwick, Main Road, Pinfold, Newbridge Road areas, Hedon Market Place, St Augustines, Inman's Road
Topping up all Salt bins

Preston
Topping up all Salt bins

Withernsea
Town Centre shopping area, the promenade including o/s toilets

Hornsea
Greenways estate shopping areas. Town centre paths
All Salt bins

Keyingham
Main Road shops and Post office area

Carnaby Depot

Driffield

Eastgate North, Main Street Shops

Bridlington

Kent Square, Kent Road, St Annes, Kirk Mews, Bridge over well lane by pass, pinfold lane, St Aidens, Chapel Street, Footpath along the prom and steps

Beeford

Leonards Close

Willerby Depot

Town/Village centres and areas of high foot fall in :

Beverley
Willerby
Anlaby
Anlaby Common
Hessle
Cottingham
Brough

Goole Depot

Cleared and gritted the following
Boothferry Road full length including the precinct, Pasture Road

Market Weighton Depot

High Street, Princess, Road, Southgate, Scotts Croft, londesborough Road


The above list continues to change as we endeavour to support all major areas at this time.

A decision will be made at 6.45am in the morning on whether bins will be emptied on Friday.

The latest forecast is that there will still be snow showers off the North Sea this evening but the keen wind will die away later with less showers moving inland and these will be confined to the coastal strip. In rural areas, temperatures will plummet to -10o so residents will notice a penetrating cold night.

It is expected that snow showers will become light tomorrow but there will be little thaw because temperatures will struggle to get above freezing throughout Friday. A similar picture is expected on Saturday.

The Council continues to work excellently with the Police and we have a police officer in our control room so we have direct linkages and we can take action to support our communities.

The situation is changeable and I am reassured that the Council is doing its very best.