WINTER MAINTENANCE TOPIC GROUP – 2 and 3 APRIL 2009

Services directly administered by Herts County Council – How affected

Highways

Following snowfall during this morning's rush hour, with heavier snow falling in the north and west of the county, most of the main roads in Hertfordshire remain passable, despite congestion.

Overnight and current situation

Snow started to fall at around 5.30am in the north of the county and by 6.30am across the whole of Herts. Hertfordshire Highways sent out gritters at 5am this morning to grit and plough the county's priority network of roads. Most of these routes are passable with care but the police have informed us of the following closures:

A41 northbound from junction 20 with the M25

A4125 Bushey to Eastbury road in Watford closed due to a collision

St Stephen's Hill, St Albans

Holywell Hill, St Albans

The A505 Baldock by-pass has now re-opened in both directions.

The road closure situation is changing rapidly as ploughing and gritting proceeds.

There is congestion in several areas.

Salt bins were refilled on Wednesday and Thursday with a salt and sand mix, and we are re-filling again. Residents are reminded that this salt is for use on pavements and roads, not for private use.

We have been advised to expect more snow at intervals during the day. Temperatures will remain around freezing and fall rapidly this evening.

Action for the day

A further ploughing and gritting run started at 9am and we aim to keep the priority roads passable. However, some gritters have needed police assistance getting through the traffic to treat the roads.

Further runs may be required in order to keep the roads in a reasonable condition for the cold weather expected over the weekend (overnight temperatures of minus six and minus seven have been forecast).

We have asked for ploughing assistance from our 50 farmer/contractors to help in the rural areas on secondary and minor routes.

In order to minimise the hazard, especially to pedestrians, during the forthcoming cold weekend, we will continue to work to clear snow and ice from subways and pedestrian ramps as well as clear snow from high priority pedestrian routes and town centre areas. Salt bins will also be refilled.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by local district and borough councils to help clear snow in town centre and shopping areas.

Salt stocks

We started the night with 1,200 tonnes, 525 tonnes of which has been used for gritting we have carried out so far and have planned for the rest of the day. We have been promised 180 tonnes of salt during the day, and expect this supply to continue over the weekend.

Officers from Hertfordshire County Council and their partners, Amey Lafarge, are scouring the markets looking for alternative sources of supply.

Schools

We have been notified that 252 schools are closed today (Friday). Some schools have opened later. Some schools are indicating that they will close early. There has been disruption to some school transport services and to public service bus operations.

ACS

Home care and day services will be open today (Friday) but there may be local disruption to services. Transport services are being disrupted.

Household recycling centres

We expect household waste recycling centres will be open today.

Registration Service

We expect registration offices will be open for clients who have appointments booked and operating normal hours.

Fire and Rescue

The service is fully crewed and all fire engines are operational.

Libraries

Libraries are expected to be open today (Friday) except Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Chorleywood, Oxhey, Bushey and Cuffley. Mobile libraries may be operating if routes are passable.

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park is closed today