After the snowfall overnight, it’s a good thing that the new pilot scheme involving the Council putting volunteers at the forefront of tackling snow and ice in some local communities is now officially live.
The Snow Warden volunteer pilot scheme has enlisted 15 communities from across the district to spread salt and clear snow. Although the Council grits some 38% of the road network which is 8% higher than the national average, there are places the Council cannot easily reach. Each warden will be equipped with a pallet of road salt bags and hand pushed spreader.
Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Transport, said, “This scheme has really caught the imagination of people who want to serve their communities by clearing local roads and pavements of snow and ice. These Snow Patrols will enable local people to get out of side roads on to main roads, which are cleared by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s gritting team, and catch a bus or drive into work. The equipment and training will be provided by the Council. If successful the scheme could be expanded next year.“
A training session was held by the Council at Fry Club, Keynsham this week covering all elements of the scheme including how forecast information will be communicated, how to prepare in the run-up to snow, advice on salt usage and storage, and a demonstration of how the salt spreader works.
Tracey Quinn, Snow Warden in Kingsway, Bath, said, “I’m really pleased to volunteer for the scheme and be in a position to help my community when severe weather strikes. The equipment and training we have all received from the Council means that all the wardens know what role we’ll be playing should the snow come down.“
Councillor Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip) is storing the equipment on behalf of Snow Warden Roger Priest for the Hunstrete community. Roger said, “This is an useful initiative which will help improve the connection between the main road network and the communities. I’m very pleased to be volunteering with the help of our local councillor and other residents.“
The pilot scheme is operating in Bathford, Bathwick Estate / Sydney Buildings, Calton / Holloway, Camden, Charlcombe, Claverton Down / Claverton Village, Corston, Englishcombe, Farington Gurney, Hunstrete, Peasedown St. John, South Stoke, Southdown, Westfield, Westmoreland.
The full list of Snow Wardens can be found at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/snowwardens or people can call 01225 39 40 41.
If severe winter weather strikes, the quickest way to find out what’s happening on the roads is to follow the Council’s Twitter Feed – @bathnes
