Gilberdyke & Blacktoft snow clearance measures go exactly to plan

Last evening we saw some 100mm of snow falling across the Blacktoft and Gilberdyke area, the snow began to fall in the late afternoon and continued into the early hours. Gilberdyke and Blacktoft Parish Councils had put together a joint plan after the serious snow of last winter, and based on the weather forecast and information from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) put the appointed contractor on standby, a local farmer (Martinsons from Blacktoft) with a 4x4 tractor fitted with a snow plough. Last night these measures put in place went exactly to plan.

The important lesson learnt from last winter was that it was essential to clear the snow from the roads as soon as possible after it fell, and before it became compacted by moving vehicles. Both Parish Councils accepted that the ERYC gritting and snow plough teams had responsibility for the primary highways and would be unlikely to plough the Parish roads, therefore they put together their own plan.

After a quick ring around, the Parish Council’s triggered the plan at about 10pm last night when it was evident that there was enough snow to plough away. The contractor, Andrew Martinson, then worked through until approximately 4.30am clearing the snow as it fell onto the roads in and out of the Parishes. After a few hours break Paul Martinson then took over for the morning shift, starting just after 8am.

This went exactly to plan and the roads in and out of the villages are now wet and more or less clear of all snow, whilst roads around other villages are still covered with compacted snow, although this is now thawing.

The cost for this is shared between the two Parish Councils, and will hopefully be reclaimed from a winter maintenance grant.

Howdenshire Parish Councils take the lead in organising snow clearing & gritting

Many thanks to the Howdenshire Parish Councils for taking the lead in organising snow clearing and the gritting roads and footpaths over the past couple of weeks. Those residents who picked up shovels to clear snow and grit footpaths and streets independent of the Parish Councils should also be recognised for the tremendous work they did. Although the task was great as we had not seen the amount of snow or the freezing temperatures for many a year, and it was never going to be possible to remove the snow and ice from every street and footpath, the work carried out by communities has been humbling. It has also sent out a clear message that the ‘Compensation Culture’ is not going to stop communities working together to help each other in times of need. The £175,000 made available to Parish Councils by the East Riding Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and administered by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council was certainly welcome, and enabled equipment to be hired and grit to be purchased. North Cave Parish Council certainly took the lead and brought in snow clearing equipment and with a small team of volunteers cleared the snow and ice from a good number of streets within the village, primarily to allow people to be able to drive from their houses to the main roads running through the village. This work continued and well done to Parish Council Chairman Steve Skipsea for taking the initiative and all the other Parish Council volunteers and resident who ‘mucked in’ to help. Gilberdyke Parish Council saw volunteers working with equipment provided by a local farmer, and also employed a local contractor to remove the snow from the main village roads and to snow plough almost all the streets within the village. This removed the surplus snow to the side but unfortunately was a little too late to address the issue of the snow that had become packed and turned to ice. After many calls from residents the Parish Council then cleared the carpark and paths in front of the shops, with the landowner not only giving his consent, but also agreeing to pay for digger used to carry out the work. The Parish Council then purchased 4 tonnes of grit and a team of volunteer Parish Councillors, the road sweepers and residents spread it on numerous paths and roads in the village. This was then followed by clearing of packed snow and ice from footpaths and a number of the streets within the village using both a mini digger and JCB tractor. It was the priority to clear the footpath near the school and other key walking routes within the village. Those residents who were proactive in clearing snow and gritting footpaths did a fantastic job too. Holme on Spalding Moor Parish Council organised a team of volunteers including diggers and equipment provided by local businesses and farmers, and also buying in grit. I spent the first Saturday morning working with the volunteers and was certainly impressed with the way so many people were able to achieve so much in a relatively short space of time. The tenacity of the Parish Council Chairman Chris Worrall should also be recognised in sticking with the task, for more information please click here Eastrington Parish Council organised plant and equipment to clear the streets in the village particularly after the snow had become packed and frozen. It was certainly impressive to see the size of the equipment employed and in a very short time a number of key streets were cleared. Parish Council Chairman Rob Martinson and fellow Parish Councillor Gina walker did a tremendous job as did all the others involved. Bubwith Parish Council organised equipment and volunteers and in a relatively short space of time made a significant impact. Well done to Parish Council Clerk Steve Young, Handyman couple Gill and Nigel, the Parish Councillors and volunteers for a job well done. Blacktoft, Broomfleet, Kilpin and Laxton did a sterling job with local farmers toiling to keep the roads clear throughout the Parishes. Newport Parish Council purchased grit for the community to use. Many thanks to the small group of volunteers that spent Sunday morning clearing the footpaths ,and others who have also cleared snow and ice in the village. Other villages and communities did sterling work, and all concerned should be recognised for their efforts. There are countless stories of the good work done by Parish Councils, volunteers and residents. No Parish Councillor is paid to do anything in their community, never mind clear snow. The task has been great and so many have risen to the challenge. There has been some criticism that some paths and roads have not been cleared or the work was not done quickly enough, but by and large the comments have been positive and people have been grateful for the work having been done.

Snow and Gritting update for the East Riding on Monday 6 December 08.45am

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council carried out a full treatment of main roads across the East Riding last night and again in the early hours of this morning. Road surface temperatures reached -11'C and at 07.00am were still -7'C across the whole of the East Riding. Forecasters indicate that temperatures will remain below freezing all day and generally dry. So ice is the real issue together with compact hard snow on the minor roads which will continue to be difficult for our residents to navigate.

We have sent the fleet of gritters out again this morning to plough and salt the secondary network as required. This will help get more of the network accessible and get people moving.

We continue to deploy resources on digging out snow once again to get a road into some isolated villages which had become cut off: Sledmere, Kirkby Underdale and Huggate areas. We made good progress in other areas on Saturday and Sunday.

Street sweeping staff are out filling salt bins and removing snow from high use pedestrian areas..
Bin Collections

Staff are out collecting wheeled bins this morning and they will collect where they can get access and do there very best.

The Garden Waste Collection Service has been suspended for this week. Garden Waste Collections are currently on a two weekly collection frequency and it is considered that due to the poor weather experienced over the last two weeks there will be only limited participation in the scheme. Suspending collections of the brown bins has allowed those collection vehicles and crews to be deployed in assisting other crews collecting the green and blue bins from properties that did not receive a collection last week due to the weather conditions.

Those properties that did not receive a collection of their Green Bin because of the weather conditions will receive a double collection on their next scheduled collection day.

Properties that did not receive a collection of their blue bins on 1st, 2nd and 3rd December will receive a collection on 8th, 9th and 10th December respectively. A revised blue bin text message has been sent informing those residents on the scheme of revised collections.

The next scheduled collections in the Brough organic trial area will take place on 15, 16, 17 December.

Overall we have a very steadily improving picture, but it is very cold and icy one.

Snow and Gritting update for East Yorkshire - Sunday 5th December 10.15am

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has started to make advances into more of the road network yesterday and the slight thaw helped. We concentrated again on snow clearance of the main road network covering all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads which is around 800km of main roads across the East Riding.

We also concentrated on digging out snow in Nunburnholme, Hayton, Londesborough, Ousefleet, Reedness near Goole, Burton Agnes, Brandesburton, Grindale, Wold Newton, Bainton, Millington and Halsham areas. This was to secure access into these villages.

Last night we treated the main network again and it was a dry night but with a hard frost.

This morning we expect snow showers on the coast, central and wolds with acummulations of 1cm to 2cm. We have sent the fleet of gritters to plough and salt the secondary network where there is packed snow and ice. This will help get more of the network accessible and get people moving.

We continue to deploy resources on digging out snow once again to get a road into some isolated villages which had become cut off.

Staff are out removing snow from high use pedestrian areas and replenishing salt bins.

Bin Collections next week

The Garden Waste Collection Service will be suspended on Monday 6 December for the whole week. The Garden Waste Collections are currently on a two weekly collection frequency and it is considered that due to the poor weather experienced over the last two weeks there will be only limited participation in the scheme next week. Suspending collections of the brown bins will allow those collection vehicles and crews to be deployed in assisting other crews collecting the green and blue bins from properties that did not receive a collection this week due to the weather conditions. Those properties that did not receive a collection of their Green Bin because of the weather conditions will receive a double collection on their next scheduled collection day. Properties that did not receive a collection of their blue bins on 1st, 2nd and 3rd December will receive a collection on 8th, 9th and 10th December respectively. A revised blue bin text message is being sent informing those residents on the scheme of revised collections. This is in addition to the information we sent by text that collections would not be taking place. T he next scheduled collections in the Brough organic trial area will take place on 15, 16, 17 December.

The Council continues to work excellently with the Police and other blue light services and other agencies. Overall we have a very steadily improving picture.

ERYC Snow and Gritting Update for Friday 3 December 09.30am

Update for Friday 3 December 09.30am

Overnight we had another dumping of snow in a line from Withernsea south of the A1079 westwards. Over a foot of new snow has fallen onto already snow packed roads and with temperatures down to -11'C in rural parts. Eleswhere temperatures are generally -6'C. We have struggled all night to plough the main snow clearance network covering all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads which is around 800km of main roads across the East Riding. Garrowby Hill, Arras Hill, High Hunsley and the higher parts of the wolds continues to be a massive challenge for us. We have a foot of snow in Beverley and treacherous conditions on most routes as temperatures will not get above freezing today or tomorrow so not much chance of improvement. The fleet of gritters are now working again on the main snow clearance network.

We continue to use a number of contracted farmers to get a road into some villages which have become cut off with drifts upto 6 feet.

Bin collections have been suspended today and a double collection will be made next Friday.

Staff deployed from bin collections, street sweeping, grounds maintenace and gully emptying are out removing snow from high use pedestrian areas across the East Riding. We have also implemented a plan this morning to remove snow from Council car parks and brought in tractors from our grounds service to help with this operation. This is presently ongoing but will take time to complete. We are now working on a plan for the weekend.

Bin Collections next week

The Garden Waste Collection Service will be suspended on Monday 6 December for the whole week. The Garden Waste Collections are currently on a two weekly collection frequency and it is considered that due to the poor weather experienced over the last two weeks there will be only limited participation in the scheme next week. Suspending collections of the brown bins will allow those collection vehicles and crews to be deployed in assisting other crews collecting the green and blue bins from properties that did not receive a collection this week due to the weather conditions. Those properties that did not receive a collection of their Green Bin because of the weather conditions will receive a double collection on their next scheduled collection day. Properties that did not receive a collection of their blue bins on 1st, 2nd and 3rd December will receive a collection on 8th, 9th and 10th December respectively. A revised blue bin text message will be sent informing those residents on the scheme of revised collections. This is in addition to the information we sent by text that collections would not be taking place.

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.