Latest update from Council:

Please find below a brief update of Sunday night/Monday morning actions and the weather forecast and actions for Monday 11 January 2010.

Sunday 10 January/Monday 11 January 2010

Northern Area – A significantly warmer night than recently and many areas remained above zero throughout. Tow Law and Medomsley were below zero but sufficient salt so no action required. Only very light occasional rain/sleet or snow flurries during the evening and overnight but nothing of any significance. All routes (Except B6278) clear and ok. 

Actions – All routes patrolled but no action pm.  Higher sections of Low Pennine areas only treated this morning.  All patrolled but no further action.

Southern Area – Light rain across the central and low areas but occasional light snow on some of the higher routes. Several higher routes are currently still closed after drifting yesterday afternoon/evening. Since the wind has dropped and the snow is now heavier, drifting should be less of a problem and these roads are expected to open today. 

Actions – Trailer gritters were out this morning to check their areas.  Two snow blowers will work in the Weardale to open roads.  Salt bins will continue to be filled.  Six trailer gritters have been allocated to Streetscene and will be trying to clear areas for refuse collections.  

Monday 11 January 2010

Sleet and snow in Pennine areas will be mostly light and very patchy this afternoon and tonight, but still the risk of occasional moderate bursts of snow and widespread ice. Elsewhere, cloudy this afternoon and most of tonight with occasional light drizzly rain or sleet, although with some lengthy dry spells as well. RSTs hovering close to zero for much of tonight with the highest risk of ice on higher stetches, although around dawn the arrival of some slightly colder, drier air may allow enough cloud breaks for icy patches to become rather more widespread (low confidence).

1-3cm additional snow in Low Pennines but 3-6cm possible in the higher Pennines in the coming 24 hours.

Actions

Southern Area – All priority 1 routes to be on standby from 1600 hours today until 0800 hours tomorrow.

Northern Area – All depots to be manned overnight from 4pm to 8am.

Roads closed

Due to drifting snow the following roads have been closed;

Unc 16.2 – Rookhope to Blanchland A689 – Killhope

B6278 – Stanhope to Eggleston

B6278 – Stanhope to Edmundbyers

B6295 – Cowshill to Allenheads

B6277 – Middleton in Teesdale to Alston

B6276 – Middleton in Teesdale to Brough

C16 – Crawleyside to Castleside

C20 – Stanhope to Blanchland (close at Meadows Edge)

C21 – Rookhope

C27 – St Johns Chapel to Langdon Beck

C28 – Middleton in Teesdale to Westgate (closed at Swinhope)

C77 – West Blackdene to Rookhope

C78 – North of Westgate

C166 – The Stang

 

Most other roads in the Pennines area of the County are passable with care but in some places may be subject to width restrictions caused by drifting snow.

Attempts to clear the snow drifts have been hampered by strong winds in the area, but now that these winds have dropped it is hoped that we may be able to get some of these roads opened later today.

Streetscene and Refuse

Throughout this weekend (January 9 and 10) a major operation took place prior to Monday’s normal collection round. Tractor ploughs were deployed to try and clear access to estates.  Today teams have been drafted in across grounds maintenance and street cleaning to assist refuse crews.

These teams will take bins and side waste to key access points from where they can be collected and put on vehicles. This is set to last all week, with the main pick ups being made on the usual collection day.   

This solution may not be possible everywhere however, as the road clearance may not not be effective in all areas, and even this substantial team effort cannot guarantee all bins can be collected on their set day, particularly from hard to reach areas.  

Winter Weather Information

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?Servicld=929

Woodbine Road is now in a much better condition.

I have reported Homlands Crescent and Durham Moor Crescent as particularly dangerous, especially given some disabled residents struggling to get out of the street.

The rise in temperatures has improved some streets, but ice tonight will no doubt bring new problems.

County Council update:

Overnight Sat 9th Jan

There were scattered snow showers throughout yesterday afternoon, some heavy, which gave 1-3cm accumulations in places. The showers died away during the evening to leave it largely dry overnight with variable cloud, although there were a few isolated snow showers giving a further localised dusting. Drifting snow in isolated areas with a NE Wind, particularly on higher ground, was problem.  Several high level roads are currently closed or very difficult but most of these should re-open later today unless the wind causes further problems. All roads reported open in the North of the County.  Whilst it was very cold and road surface temperatures fell well below zero they gradually lifted overnight which helped reduce salting of the Class A & B road network.  Ploughing and patrolling continued throughout the period where necessary.

Road Closures

The following roads were closed or very difficult at 0700hrs but work is ongoing and it is hoped that they will open later today.

B6278 Stanhope – Eggleston

B6278 Stanhope – Edmunbyers

B6295 Cowshill – Allenheads

B6277 Middleton – Alston

B6276 Middleton – Brough

C166 The Stang

C20 Meadows Edge

C77 West Blackdene to Rookhope

C78 North of Westgate

C16.2 Rookhope to Blanchland

C28 Swinhope

C21 Rookhope

Forecast for today Sun 10th Jan

Whilst snow is still expected to spread across the region from the south during Sunday night the severe weather warning has been lifted. Near to the coast, and even elsewhere at times, it could fall as sleet or even rain. The rain, sleet and snow will continue  for most of Monday before slowly dying out by Tuesday morning. So amounts of new snow for the whole event will range from very little near to the coast, just 1-2cms at low levels but still 5-10cms on ground above about 600 or 700ft. Over the very highest ground , above about 1000ft, there is still a possibility of 15-20cms, especially where it drifts around in the strong and cold easterly wind.

Road surface temperatures are expected to fall below freezing but not to the extent of recent nights.

Proposed Actions

Shifts to continue and all routes to be patrolled/ploughed as necessary with salt treatment only on class A & B roads.  The 24hrs shifts to be reviewed on Monday

Salt bins

40 men in teams will be filling salt bins throughout the day and will continue for the foreseeable future enabling residents to help themselves.  This additional resource should mean all bins will be filled within a week.

Footpaths

Teams have been out on Saturday  on a wide range of high priority locations clearing footpaths right across the County. Tractors also assisted along side this for example clearing snow around bus stations and car parks. A presence is being maintained today although focusing on main town centres for Monday morning.

Refuse Collection

Work in housing estates yesterday was really successful and a major operation is underway across the County using tractor gritters and other machinery to clear access to (and into where possible) estates to improve access along Monday’s scheduled collection routes. This is continuing again today.  Please note that snow does accumulate in the wake of the ploughs, in some instances causing local inconvenience. It is essential work however if a safe and determined effort in picking up refuse is to be made.

Starting from Monday morning, and dependent on ground conditions, a substantial deployment of grounds staff will be made, working along side refuse crews. A fleet of wagons will be used to get to the nearest safe access points, and bins and side waste can be taken by staff to these locations. Even with this massive deployment, ground conditions or difficult access are likely to mean that we cannot pick up all the bins on their set day, and if safety considerations dictate there may be need for suspension. Be assured however that we are making a determined effort to do our utmost, with the aim of clearing as many bins on their scheduled collection days this week. We are also, where possible deploying some mopping up from additional areas, subject to progress.

Forecast for the 2 -5 days ahead

As for the rest of the week: The extreme low temperatures have probably now gone but it will stay cold and windy with the possibility of some light sleet or snow on Wednesday into Thursday. Daytime temperatures will just get above freezing in places, with a slight thaw at low levels, but there will be a frost at night, with ice continuing to be a problem.

Beyond that it still looks like somewhat less cold conditions will try to push in from the southwest but any thaw will continue to be gradual.

Salt

Reducing the treated network to Class A & B roads has had a positive impact on salt usage and preserving salt stocks.  Nationally all local authorities have now been asked to reduce their salt usage by 25% to preserve stocks.  In Durham, the measures taken earlier in the week means that we have already achieved this.  Further reductions may be called for next week.

Emergency Services

We are in constant contact with the emergency services regarding access difficulties and up to present there have been few of these.

The gritting requested for Bishops Way, Mere Drive and The Orchard was carried out and more grit dropped off. I have also arranged for additional grit on Woodbine Road where the pavements and road are still a mess. I have requested Bridgemere Drive be looked at urgently. Please get in touch if you have serious problems on your street. Council staff are stillworking really hard and I know many people feel not enough is being done to clear the side streets, but this is taking place as quickly as possible.

Council Update:

Friday 8th

A largely dry but cold evening before the snow showers commenced. Snow showers started around 2230 and then on and off throughout the night. Around 5cm in Coastal areas, 8 – 10cm in Central areas and 3cm in Low Pennines. The snow in Low Pennines was from shower between 0500 and 0600 with only very slight dusting before. Min Road Surface Temperature (RST’s)-8

Ploughing continued throughout with salting undertaken on Class A & B roads to conserve stocks. In addition to the 36 front line gritters, additional trailer gritters and tractor ploughs have been used this morning. 2 snow blowers will continue in the Weardale. 

Saturday 9th

Forecast

Cold and windy this afternoon with a lot of cloud and mostly light snow flurries. Tonight it will stay windy with occasional mostly light snow showers, these perhaps turning sleety towards the coast later in the night as temperatures rise a little. RSTs below zero with widespread ice. Cold and windy tomorrow morning occasional light snow showers, perhaps sleety towards the coast.

Snow amounts are 1-3cm in Pennine areas. 1cm possible elsewhere. Some of the lying snow likely to drift in the wind in Pennine areas.

Actions for remainder of day and tonight –

Shifts to continue and all routes to be patrolled/ploughed as necessary with salt treatment only on class A & B roads

Some success with the tractor ploughs and trailer gritters in the estate roads improving access/egress for residents and allowing refuse collection to be carried out this weekend and next week.

40 men in teams will be filling salt bins throughout the day and remainder of weekend.

Footway clearance continues with substantial resource, particularly in the Town Centres.

Road Closures

 Some drifting in exposed areas took place last night and the strong winds will continue today. All roads open except those shown below. Most of these should be open today but are likely to close again tonight.

C20 Meadows Edge

C77 West Blackdene to Rookhope

C78 North of Westgate

C16.2 Rookhope to Blanchland

The C28 Swinhope is unlikely to be open fully open today but efforts will be made to open it as far as Weardale Ski Club

 

Summary for next 2 – 5 days

The cold will not be quite so severe in the coming few days, but RSTs still below zero by night and at times by day. Patchy light snow is likely tomorrow and tomorrow night, perhaps with a few heavier bursts before the end of Sunday night on higher parts. Monday and Tuesday will be overcast and raw with occasional light rain or snow. The rain most likely near the coast and on lowest ground elsewhere, but with the risk of it freezing on frozen surfaces. Often rather windy as well. Tuesday night through to Thursday will see an increased risk of more widespread sleet and snow showers returning, although lowest parts will have rain mixed in as well.

Salt

Reducing the treated network to Class A & B roads has had a positive impact on salt usage and preserving salt stocks.  Nationally all local authorities have been asked to reduce their salt usage by 25% to preserve stocks.  In Durham, the measures taken earlier in the week means that we have already achieved this.

Emergency Services

We are in constant contact with the emergency services regarding access difficulties and up to present there have been few of these.

The County Council has revised its gritting routes and posted the notice below. I have had a large number of requests for refuse to be collected, with some saying they have not had collections since the 17th December. The Council is doing its best to get as many bines emptied as possible. I have also had a very large number of complaints about side streets and pavements not being cleared. Although these have been reported to the Council, they have had to concentrate on the major roads. My request for pavements to be cleared around Woodbine Road community centre did not happen, although a tractor did go up some of the roads in the area to try and make them more passable. The grit I asked for has run out, more requested.

Council Notice on revised gritting routes:

The revised routes are now live on the internet/intramap.

The public can access them from the weather problems link on the home page of www.durham.gov.uk

If you wish to see what they can see follow the link below;

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=7032

Please find below a brief update of Thursday night/Friday morning actions and the weather forecast for Friday 8 January 2010 along with the 2-5 day forecast.

 

Thursday 7 January/Friday 8 January

 

Northern area – A very cold night with RSTs down to -8.5C.  Mainly dry and clear overnight but a period of snow between 2200 and 2330 that gave around 5cms in Coastal areas, around 2-3cms in central area and around 1cm in Low Pennine area.  Reduced salting lengths based on A and B roads only treated pm and am.  Salt applied at 14.00 on 7 January and 5.00 on 8 January 2010.

Southern Area – Yesterday afternoon, there were sunny spells and snow showers, these mostly in the east.  Overnight the snow showers spread into some western areas for a time before easing off.  RSTs well below zero.  Work continued throughout the night.  The network was ploughed and treated yesterday in accordance with the revised salting regime.  Trailer gritter contractor were used this morning to plough the secondary routes.

 

Friday 8 January 2010

Snow showers will spread from the northeast through the afternoon, especially across eastern areas where perhaps locally heavy later. This evening and tonight it will remain cold with clear spells and further snow showers, although the most frequent snow showers are expected in the first half of the night. RSTs well below zero with widespread ice. Tomorrow breezy and cold with sunny spells and scattered snow showers. A chance the wind could become strong enough to drift some of the lying snow, especially over the hills.

2-5cm expected from the snow showers through the period, locally more in some eastern areas is possible.

 

Actions

Northern – All depots to be manned for the next 24 hours.

Southern – Ploughing and gritting to revised regime continuing throughout 24 hour period.  Secondary routes to be ploughed from 4 am tomorrow morning.  2 snowblowers widening out roads in Weardale.

 

Streetscene and Refuse

Refuse/recycling collection: We are collecting rubbish today in Barnard Castle and Chester le Street, using tractors and deployment of clean and green staff to assist with the service.

Footpaths: We are still clearing footpaths in a number of priority areas Doctors Surgeries, shopping Centres etc, and responding where possible to additional concerns.

Building maintenance: Emergency requests for burst pipes, boilers across a wide range of establishments – community centres, schools etc are being addressed.

 

Roads Closed

C20 Meadows Edge

C77 West Blackdene to Rookhope

C78 North of Westgate

C28 Swinhope

2-5 day forecast

Cold wintry conditions will continue. A strengthening northeast to easterly wind will bring scattered snow showers, some heavy, through to Sunday with drifting of lying snow. On Monday snow showers should become more isolated but there is a risk of more widespread but light snow edging up from the south for a time later Monday/Tuesday. Becoming a little less cold perhaps, but RSTs below zero throughout.

 

Winter Weather Information

 

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?Serviceld=929

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

The headteacher has issued the following notice regarding the closure of the school:

My main priority is to keep the school open as normal.  However, I need to close the school today at 3 pm as it cannot operate effectively or safely.  School will be closed tomorrow (Friday 8 January) but it is our intention to re-open on Monday 11 January. 

The decision has been taken due to safety concerns.  There is a weather warning of significant snowfall overnight.  The County Council have announced that they are unable to guarantee gritting all but the main roads and Bus Companies will not guarantee that public transport will be running.   There are also health and safety concerns as our supplies of grit have run out and no more is available for purchase.  There is also standing water inside the buildings and on staircases. 

Any child who has difficulty getting home or who feels unsafe about leaving the premises should make themselves known to their tutor OR subject teacher. 

He or she can then proceed to the Library Resource Centre where he or she will be supervised.  The office will help with their arrangements to get home.  If the school is not in session and there is doubt about opening, you should listen to messages on BBC Radio Newcastle, Century FM.  If the school is not mentioned then we are open.  Or refer to our website www.fram.durham.sch.uk. 

Any child who is unable to get home safely will be supervised until arrangements can be made.

I detail below an update to County Councillors: (below this is the weather,refuse and wintermaintenance update for today)

We are now advising the public that due to current under supply and future uncertainty of supply of salt, it is necessary to prioritise gritting to all A and B category roads throughout the county. This covers the vast majority of bus routes. Every effort will also be made to maintain main thoroughfares where there are significant gradients.

The Council will continue to plough all priority routes but only A and B category roads will be treated with salt from later tonight. We will also continue to keep the situation under review and as soon as more salt becomes available we will reprioritise.

It is important that everyone understands we are managing very difficult ongoing winter conditions with restricted supplies. So far we have spread more than 30,000 tonnes and have spent in excess of £3 million maintaining the highway network and priority footpaths. We also have utilized our streetscene resources with up to 200 of our staff clearing footpaths and town centres each day since the middle of December. Since the cold weather began, the Council has received significantly less salt than ordered.

The Council continues to do everything it can to maintain the highway network and to keep footpaths clear although we are reliant on having sufficient supplies of salt to enable us to do so.

Please be aware that salt is very good at preventing ice formation just below 0 degree (freezing point) however this effectiveness reduces quite considerably as temperatures decrease below -5 degrees.

At present overnight temperatures are reaching -8 degrees and are not rising above freezing point during the day. To be effective the salt also needs reasonable traffic levels to grind it into any lying snow. This explains why even well gritted roads are taking time to clear.

The cold spell has affected the whole country over a prolonged period and as a result, there are concerns about salt stocks nationally. Local authorities rely on salt stock being topped up by fresh deliveries over the winter period and at present accessing additional supplies is difficult because of the high demand nationally.

In County Durham we made sure that all of our salt barns were filled at the start of the winter. Even so the continued use of salt in keeping our roads open has meant that we have a difficult situation to manage. We must be prudent in our salt use in order to conserve stocks. Hence routine gritting is being restricted to the A and B roads.

County Council update of refuse and winter mainenance:

 Please find below a brief update on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning actions and the weather forecast for Wednesday 6 January to Thursday 7 January 2010.

12.00 Tuesday 5 January to 08.00 Wednesday 6 January 2010

Yesterday afternoon was mostly cloudy with snow showers. The snow showers continued overnight, heavy at times. RSTs below zero.

Northern Area – More snow fell than forecast on 5 Jan.  Coastal area got quite heavy snowfall especially between 1330 and 1530.  The central area then got a very heavy snow shower around 1530 and for a period roads were at a standstill or were moving very slowly.

Up to midnight the snow showers continued mainly in the coastal and central area giving around 100mm of snow.  Crews continued to work shifts and through continuous working and use of additional tractor ploughs teams managed to keep on top of the situation. 

After midnight the snow largely stopped in the coastal area but we got significantly more in the Low Pennine area where we have had up to 150mm more snow in some areas.  Tractor ploughs were brought in as well as extra drivers to clear the snow hills route (Lanchester/Stanley/Annfield Plain hill areas).  Conditions this morning are described as passable with extreme care.

Southern Area – Up to 180 mm of snow on highest routes.  Many of these routes very difficult and narrow in places or closed.

Low ground routes reported as passable with care.

Work continued overnight, mostly ploughing.

12.00 Wednesday 6 January to 12.00 Thursday 7 January 2010

A few snow showers are likely through the rest of this morning giving a light covering locally, but these will be increasingly well-scattered. Sunny spells developing. Snow showers are increasingly likely through the afternoon and evening, giving 2-3cm in places. RSTs will struggle to rise above zero today and will soon fall back below during the afternoon. Overnight, clear spells with scattered snow showers continuing. A further 2-3cm is possible, although confidence is fairly low on this. RSTs well below zero with ice likely. Tomorrow morning will see sunny spells and a few further snow showers.

Actions

Northern Area – Work will continue today to try and improve conditions and plough out additional widths of road.  Will also try and work on Priority 2 routes when Priority 1 routes clear.

Southern Area – Work is ongoing to try and keep major routes open.

Roads Closed

C20 Meadows Edge                                                                     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 Yorkshire

Streetscene and refuse

Sedgefiedl/Wear Valley/Teesdale – All collections suspended due to weather conditions.  Available staff to work on snow clearing.

Chester-le-Street/Derwentside – All collections suspended due to weather conditions.  Available staff to work on snow clearing.

Easington – All collections suspended.

Durham – At present some collections being carried out but only where safe to do so.

Winter Weather Information

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?Serviceld=929

Refuse collections put back by at least one day possibly longer.

FROM COUNTY COUNCIL INCLUDING REFUSE:

 RST – Road Surface temperatures, Durham City is in Northern Area.

Tuesday 5 January/Wednedsay 6 January 2010

RSTs will remain below zero through most of the coming 24 hours with widespread ice. Snow showers can be expected at times for the rest of the afternoon, tonight and tomorrow morning as well. The showers will be heaviest and most frequent near to the east coast, but some showers will move further inland too. Strong north-easterly winds could lead to drifting.                                                                                 

Accumulations of 2-5cm widely, but up to 8cm in the worst-affected areas.

Actions

Southern Area – Crews on standby 4pm today and 3 am tomorrow.  Evening shift will continue until 11pm/midnight with the possibility of continuing until 3am.  Treatment of secondary routes to be done tomorrow morning.

Northern Area – All depots to be manned for next 24 hours.

Streetscene and refuse

Derwentside – Working in South Stanley and Langley Park today collecting bins where it is safe to do so.  

Chester-le-Street – No snow clearing teams out today as all out on the bin collections.

Durham – Crews out today, also using smaller tractors and trailers to assist where difficult for larger vehicles to gain access.

Easington – Crews out today, also using smaller tractors and trailers to assist where difficult for larger vehicles to gain access.

Sedgefield/Wear Valley/Teesdale – Crews out collecting where it is safe to do so.  Also doing snow clearing and some gritting of footpaths.