WINTER MAINTENANCE
What we are doing
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council are preparing for potential snow and freezing conditions this winter.
The Council has a "Snow Plan" (see document below) to be as ready as possible for severe and prolonged periods of freezing weather like the conditions experienced over the last two winters.
Stocks of salt are already stored at the Council's storage barn at Waun-y-Pound Industrial Estate in Ebbw Vale - which was built in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and is also being used by neighborouring local authorities.
Employees from other departments have also been identified to help with snow clearance where necessary - targeting areas such as town centres, schools and residential homes.
Local people will be able to access information on services and school closures on this website and through updates on local radio (see links opposite). School closures will also be reported every morning both on this website and the BBC Wales website.
As part of our planning for adverse weather the Council is also ready to help out with funerals, and also people who require urgent or essential medical care. We are working with the Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust to identify those patients that need assistance.
Those having lifesaving treatment will be prioritised for assistance to ensure they are able to attend their appointments. During snow conditions, patients are asked to contact their hospital and the hospital will contact the local authority to provide assistance if necessary.
Winter Gritting
Blaenau Gwent Council’s priority during snow conditions is to keep the main routes open and clear for motorists. 48% of the roads in the Borough are pre-salted as part of the winter maintenance programme.
This includes:
• All A and B roads
• Local high risk sites and important access routes (e.g. bus routes, near schools, routes to emergency services sites).
The gritting and snow ploughing routes, and locations of grit bins are available below.
What we can’t do
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to keep main routes clear, it is impossible to keep these roads ‘snow free’ while it is snowing!
We are unable to salt and clear all of our roads, as this is an enormous task, and would be very costly. Minor roads not on the priority routes will not be salted or cleared unless there is an emergency.
We do not treat footpaths, except in very severe snow conditions, where we will help clear footpaths in shopping centres.
What we can do
To help local residents and businesses, we provide grit bins and salt for residents and local businesses to use on public roads and footpaths that are not on the ‘gritting routes’.
Where possible, we try to help out with emergencies for example making sure residents can get to urgent hospital appointments (such as dialysis and chemotherapy).
We also move staff onto snow clearance duties to help schools remain open, help clear snow in town centres and cemeteries, and improve access to care homes.
During disruptive snow conditions, local people will be able to access information on services and school closures through the Blaenau Gwent website and updates on local radio.
How you can help
We encourage residents and local businesses to use the salt available in the grit bins for use on public footpaths and roads to prevent icing. The locations of the grit bins are available below.
There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Visit www.directgov.uk for clear guidance on how to do this.
Grit Bins
To help local residents and businesses, we provide grit bins and salt for residents and local businesses to use on public footpaths, and also on public roads that are not on the ‘gritting routes’.
A list of existing Grit Bin locations throughout Blaenau Gwent can be found in the related documents section below.
Gritting Routes
The following links are to Google Maps where the Blaenau Gwent Gritting Routes for the particular areas are displayed
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Abertillery 1
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Abertillery 2
To find out more information on road conditions or closures:-
AA Road Watch - Tel:- 09068884322 or visit: AA Roadwatch
Traffic Wales Information - Tel:- 08456026020 or visit Traffic Wales
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