Warwickshire News Mine

And Warwickshire County Council’s Adult Health and Community Services directorate also took the decision not to operate day care services for older people.

David Curle, the directorate’s Buildings and Transport Manager, explained: “We decided early this morning not to operate day care services. This wasn’t because we were unable to reach the older people; it instead reflected concerns in getting customers from their homes to vehicles on the slippery and snowy footpaths.

“For the same reason Social Education Centres are also closed today, but I’m pleased to say that at this stage our other care services and homes for older people are operating as normal.

“Last night and tonight we are providing four wheel drive vehicles for our emergency duty team to ensure they are mobile around the county. There is a forecast for a heavy frost tonight, so it may be we continue to operate a similar service tomorrow.”

A total of 209 schools closed across Warwickshire today, and 3,963 parents received a text to their mobile phone informing them of school closures as part of a new Warwickshire County Council service.

John Betts, Head of Resource’s for Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families Directorate, explained why some of the county’s schools have closed, while others remain open.

He said: "Some schools are facing more severe weather conditions because the county is very diverse from urban to rural areas. Headteachers are more aware of the situation on the ground, taking into account the safety of pupils and the availability of other services, such as school meals and transport, when they decide whether closure is the right decision for the school."

All of Warwickshire County Council’s libraries opened as normal today.

Warwickshire County Council’s highways team last night carried out two gritting runs with its fleet of 31 vehicles, a further gritting was carried out this morning and at lunchtime today a fourth grit was underway. Snow ploughs were also out early this morning to ensure major A and B roads were passable. The operation has ensured that 46 per cent of the 2,300 miles of highway in Warwickshire is being gritted.

County Highways operates the fleet of vehicles from seven depots across the county in order to ensure the essential gritting operations are carried out with minimal delay. 

Tim Bowtell, Warwickshire County Council’s Winter Maintenance Activity Manager, said: “We advise drivers to take extra care in snow conditions particularly when approaching junctions. Drivers should only make essential journeys.”

The snow clearing activities are being provided by Carillion Road Maintenance contractors who have a seven-year contract for Warwickshire.

Anthony Yates, Contract Manager, said: “We advise drivers to drive slowly and not too close to our gritting vehicles while the flashing lights are in operation that shows salt is being spread. On narrow streets in towns please avoid parking on paths which can block the route of gritters”.

William Brown, Warwickshire’s County Fire Officer, said: “There have been no major incidents in Warwickshire this morning as a result of the snow and I’d like to praise motorists for heeding the warnings and driving responsibly.”

Information on school closures can be found at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolclosures

Regular updates on weather and highway conditions are being reported to local radio stations and can be seen on Warwickshire Website http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roads, and other advice on winter driving can be found at
http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/pages.nsf/Links/9B2E5EA2E0375078802570C7002F25C4

Link to WCC