Latest council weather update:

Please ensure that all requests for assistance are directed to HAL/CRM, their staff will telephone through urgent requests to the appropriate Service for action. Telephone 01913706000

Please find below the last weather update for today from Technical Services and Direct Services

The current position is as follows, a further update will be provided at 5.00pm:-

Forecast

Cloudy this afternoon with occasional light snow (see snow summary). From approximately 1800, heavy snow is expected to spread from the west, and will continue until around 02-0300. As it eases and starts to move away, it may turn to light sleet or even rain in places for a short time. Skies will then clear. RSTs below zero in the snow, and then remaining below as skies clear. There will be widespread ice and frozen snow to end the night.

The 5 day forecast indicates that it will become less cold, then mild next week. It will be fine through Saturday afternoon then rain in the evening and overnight.

 

Snow Summary

This afternoon, 1-2cms is possible in places, but this evening, 4-7cms, locally 10cms (especially on the Pennines, where even 15cms is possible on the highest parts) is expected. Drifting is possible for a time on the Pennines this evening before the wind eases

 

Highways Update

Priority 1 routes in the Pennine area are currently being treated, gritters for the remaining priority routes are in depots and will treat all routes from 2pm or earlier if conditions demand.

Additional gritters have been mobilised for Derwentside banks and Durham City to avoid rush hour issues.

Priority 2 gritters will be used from 2am tomorrow morning.

 

In view of the forecast condition arrangements have been made so that 24 hour working can continue until mid-day Saturday.

This will be reviewed at 7am and further arrangements made if necessary.

 

Road Conditions including Roads Closed

The C16 from Edbundbyers Cross towards Waskerley has been closed due to drifting snow.

Other exposed high level Pennine roads are affected by blowing snow..

 

Salt Bins

Gangs will continue to replenish salt bins countywide for the rest of today and Saturday.

 

Clean and Green Update
Staff will continue to clear priority footpaths, main shopping areas, emergency services depots, cemeteries, schools, public buildings and aged persons accommodation.    Staff are also assisting refuse and recycling crews by gritting hard to access areas and they will pull bins to suitable collection points.

 

Refuse and Recycling Update
All crews are out collecting today.  They will be collecting where they can on today’s work and also attempting to return to any areas that have been missed, if possible.  An overview of how todays collections have gone will be included in the next weather update.

 

Building and Facilities Maintenance

Overnight temperatures have been well below zero however the main highway network remains clear with only a small number of minor roads passable with care.  Maintenance staff working in Durham Housing Maintenance and Public Buildings have now only the side and estate roads to contend with in terms of getting to premises.  Overnight we received 15 call outs only 1 which was weather related.

 

There is only 1 school closure Broom Cottages Primary School posted on the DCC website.  The heating mains burst will be rectified today and the school should open on Monday.

 

No public, Civic or Admin buildings are closed as a result of the prevailing weather.