Wednesday 6 January/Thursday 7 January 2010Northern area – Snow showers on and off during the evening but generally died out by 0200.  No significant snow in coastal areas overnight but around 2-5cms in Central and Low Pennine areas.  A very cold night with RSTs down to -8.5C.  All routes ploughed and salted throughout the night.  Reducing salting lengths based on A and B roads implemented this morning.Southern Area – There were sunny spells yesterday afternoon with scattered snow showers, some heavy.  The snow showers continued overnight, but became gradually lighter and more isolated.  RSTs well below zero.  Some high level roads closed or very narrow in places.  Low level roads all open but care needed on some.  Work continued throughout the night.  The full priority 1 network was ploughed and treated yesterday evening prior to the implementation of the revised salting regime.  All routes continued to be ploughed as necessary but subsequent saltings last night and this morning were on only part of the routes.  Trailer gritter contractor were used this morning to plough secondary routes.  Refuse and Streetscene – Durham area refuse did go out to collect on Wednesday morning but conditions too bad and so service suspended later in the morning. Thursday 7 January 2010Largely fine this afternoon but the odd light snow shower here and there. This evening and tonight an area of more widespread snow showers are expected to spread slowly from the northeast, mostly light but perhaps with a few heavier ones towards the coast for a time. After 3am any remaining snow showers should become well scattered again. RSTs well below zero with widespread ice.  Tomorrow will be cold again with sunny spells and scattered snow showers, heaviest near the coast. Considerable uncertainty on snow amounts tonight. Latest indications are 1-3cm in the Pennine domains, but 2-5cm elsewhere. An additional 1-2cm possible from the scattered snow showers tomorrow morning, mainly in the east.  ActionsSouthern  – Ploughing and gritting to revised regime continuing throughout 24 hour period.  Secondary routes to be ploughed from 5am tomorrow morning. Northern – All depots to be manned for the next 24 hours. 

Roads Closed

C20 Meadows edge                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            B6277 West of Harwood              C27 Harthope                                                          C77 West Blackdene to Rookhope       Unc 16.2 Rookhope to Blanchland                   C78 North of Westgate                 C21 Rookhope                                                        C28 Swinhope                                B6278 Stanhope -Eggleston (Shaftwell Head)           B6277 closed beyond Harwood            C29 Middle end to Middleton                              C166 closed in North Yorthshire

Refuse and StreetsceneDurham – At present collections being carried out today where it is safe to do so.Easington – Collections suspended.Derwentside – Collections suspended.  Staff assisting with snow clearing of priority areas.Chester le Street – Collections suspended.  Staff assisting with snow clearing of priority areas.Sedgefiedl/Wear Valley/Teesdale – Collections suspended.  Available staff snow clearing priority areas. Can I also draw to Members attention to the email circulated on 6 January from Terry Collins which gives an update on the current situation. Winter Weather Informationhttp://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?Serviceld=929