Published on Wednesday 04 September 2019
Next week (11 September 2019) BCP Council’s Cabinet Members will be asked to approve proposals which will make sure the area is ready to respond to dropping temperatures this winter.
As the summer season comes to an end BCP Council is planning ahead to ensure it is ready to respond to all cold weather conditions over the winter period including a response to severe weather, be it heavy snow, rain or freezing temperatures.
Cabinet Members will be asked to approve BCP Council’s Winter Service continuity plan 2019/20 which will ensure continuity of service previously provided by the preceding councils.
Councillor Dr Felicity Rice, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate & Environment said: "Dealing with the effects of snow and ice on our roads is a massive logistical challenge and keeping everything moving is an important task for the Council. These proposals will make sure we are fully prepared for the winter and can help prepare, alert and prevent the effects of any adverse winter weather on council services and residents’ wellbeing.''
"As part of these proposals we are also recommending a review of the of the Winter Service is undertaken at the end of the 2019/20 season so that we can explore options for those who walk and cycle."
Under the proposed BCP Council Winter Service continuity plan 2019/20 officers will monitor weather conditions from the start of October through until the end of March. Decisions about which roads are gritted will be based upon the latest forecast of road surface temperatures. These temperatures will be monitored by strategic highway sensors which provide accurate ‘on the ground’ surface and air temperatures. Officers will then be alerted to any changes to predicted weather patterns and the system then works out the optimum times to grit the highways.
The planned network coverage includes all BCP Council classified A roads, access to Poole Port, Bournemouth Airport, Emergency Service buildings, Bournemouth & Poole A&E Hospitals & St Marys Maternity Unit, and link to the A31.
As part of the report, Cabinet Members will also be asked to approve plans to review the Winter Service at the end of the 2019/20 season to inform the development of a BCP Council Winter Service Plan which will also consider options for future treatment of roads, pavements and cycle paths.