Severe Weather - Surely Fareham Is Prepared this Winter? Hmm...

(As kindly provided to me by Councillor Seán D T Woodward)

Snowfall last night was more persistent than initially predicted by the forecasters with small, albeit isolated, accumulations reported in some areas - most had no more than a light dusting.   We did not do a countywide salting run last night although some spot treatments were necessary in the East Hants area.  Priority 1 routes were run again this morning at 4am, to ensure surface salinity levels remain high, and the community routes were treated yesterday with salt. Main roads were all clear this morning but minor roads had turned icy where the light covering of snow had frozen. To deal with this ran the Priority 2 routes this morning.  This will all help prevent ice forming on the roads ahead of tonight’s predicted snowfall.

The weather is now forecast to get more severe over the next 24-48 hours with heavy snow showers expected later tonight and into the early hours of tomorrow morning, with the weather system moving into Hampshire from the east.  Priority One routes will be treated tonight starting at 6pm, gritters will then return to depots, fit ploughs, reload and wait for further instructions.  We will review further treatments throughout the night through discussion with the weather forecasters. Community routes will be treated at 6am ahead of tomorrow morning’s rush hour.  Farmers with snowploughs are on also on standby.  This amount of snow, if the forecast is accurate, should be expected to cause some disruption across Hampshire first thing tomorrow.  We have issued advice on Hantweb and through the media, and emphasised the importance of planning ahead, and of drivers being prepared and driving appropriately if journeys are necessary, if snow does hit Hampshire in the night.

We then expect tomorrow night to be very cold initially, with a forecast of freezing rain or rain falling onto frozen surfaces later in the night.  This is likely to produce very difficult road conditions, especially off the treated network, but we will monitor the forecast during tomorrow to determine our response.

Our salt stocks remain good, and we have had some top up deliveries last week, but we have used some 2,500 tonnes already this winter, and we will need to use more to deal with significant snow falls.  We are therefore watching stock levels carefully, and anticipate national shortages will bring the salt cell into operation if the weather persists much longer - areas further north and east have already experienced a prolonged period of snow and ice.

There is a new information button on the front page of Hantsweb which links to information on key services during severe weather: www.hants.gov.uk/severe-weather

Best wishes

Councillor Seán D T Woodward

Executive Leader, Fareham Borough Council

Councillor for Sarisbury Ward

County Councillor for Sarisbury Division

Member of Hampshire Police Authority

Tel         (01489) 881030

Fax        (01489) 881031

Mobile  (07825) 300637