Snow Update: Friday 25 January 2013
Last updated: 5.00pm
This page will be updated as nessesary, for further updates follow us on Twitter: @EpsomEwellBC; www.twitter.com/EpsomEwellBC
Status
The Met Office have issued a YELLOW SNOW alert for the evening of Friday 25 January.
(yellow alert = be aware, amber alert = be prepared, red alert = take action).
Enterprise Market
The Enterprise Market this Sunday in the Market Place will be taking place (10.00 - 16.00).
Waste and Recycling
Garden waste collection
This week, in recognition of the difficult conditions and backlog of collections, we temporarily suspended garden waste collections in order to use those vehicles and staff to assist our other crews.
The garden waste service remains suspended today, Friday 25 January, but we are hopeful that the service will resume for scheduled collections on Monday 28 January.
When scheduled garden waste collections do resume we will, of course, collect any excess garden waste that subscribers may have accumulated in the meantime. Please leave excess garden waste in bags next to your bin for us to collect.
Other recycling and waste
A vehicle breakdown on Thursday 17 January and adverse weather on Friday 18 January meant that some recycling and waste collections on those days were missed. The continued adverse weather meant that, for safety reasons, we cancelled all recycling and waste collections on Monday 21 January. Services restarted on Tuesday 22 January. Due to icy surfaces, some roads have remained inaccessible to our heavy vehicles. However, as conditions have improved we have been able make more and more collections each day, and have been working to catch up missed collections.
We expect to be able to make the majority of collections due today, Friday 25 January. We are also continuing to make efforts to return to roads that have been previously missed.
As the weather forecast stands today, we expect to have completed all collections, including those previously missed, of food waste, rubbish and cardboard & plastic bottle bins by the end of Saturday 26 January.
If you have already put your bins out for collection, please leave them out until they are collected provided it is safe to do so.
When we return to catch up with missed collections we will, of course, also take any excess waste that you have accumulated in the meantime. Please leave excess waste in bags next to your bin for us to collect.
Thank you for your goodwill in bearing with us during this period.
Gritting and Snow Clearance
Any enquiries about gritting and snow clearance should be made to Surrey County Council Roads and Transport on 0300 200 1003, e-mail contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk, or by visiting the Surrey County Council website.
The Borough Council continue to be used to support Surrey County Council with gritting responsibilities as well as gritting surfaces in car parks, shopping areas, around day centres and other vulnerable areas.Car Parks are open as normal.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels are running as normal using the Council's fleet of available four-wheel-drive vehicles to ensure meals can be delivered to vulnerable residents in all areas of the Borough.
Social Centres
The Wells Centre is open as normal
The Longmead Centre is open as normal.
RouteCall
RouteCall expects to run normally today. As has been the case since the snow arrived, if drivers feel that they will have difficulty accessing a particular road, we will speak directly with any affected customers to discuss options, including the delivery of emergency provisions or a meal where needed.
Council Venues
The Town Hall is open as normal.
The Ebbisham Centre is open as normal.
The Playhouse is open as normal.
Bourne Hall is open as normal.
Ewell Court House is open as normal.
Cemetary
Epsom Cemetery is open as normal.
Services for the Elderly/Disabled
The Shopping Service is running as normal using the Council's fleet of four-wheel-drive vehicles to ensure shopping can be delivered to vulnerable residents in all areas of the Borough.
Community Alarm is running a normal service.
Parks and Epsom Downs
All parks are open as normal.
The decision to play on all football pitches this weekend (26 and 27 Jan) will be made by the respective referees at each game.
All bookings on the Astroturf are cancelled until further notice dependent on the weather.
Please take care in the parks and stay away from ponds that may have iced over.
Sledging on Epsom Downs:
To ensure the training of racehorses can continue as normal in a safe environment, residents are asked to limit their sledging activity to after 12 noon Monday-Saturday and after 10.30am on Sundays. This is in line with the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984 (a copy of which can be found by clicking here) – the paragraph about rights of the public over the Downs, in summary states the public can use the Downs for air and exercise as long as this does not interfere with the training of horses.
Borough Noticeboards
The January update of the Council noticeboards across the Borough has been postponed.
Rough Sleepers
In periods of severe cold weather, no one needs to sleep rough and the Council can organise a placement at a winter watch project, night shelter or emergency accommodation. In addition people may be able to access Leatherhead START or use the facilities at Pitstop or the Living Room at Epsom Baptist Church.
If you are aware of anyone sleeping rough in the Borough, especially during periods of severe cold weather, please contact Housing Services on 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.
Alternatively if you are concerned about a rough sleeper this can be reported to Streetlink. StreetLink is a website that enables the public to alert local authorities about rough sleepers intheir area. The service offers the public a means to act when theysee someone sleeping rough and is the first step someone can take to ensure rough sleepers are connected to the local services and support available to them.
The Streetlink is accessible by using their website http://www.streetlink.org.uk or by using the 24/7 StreetLink phone line 0300 500 0914.
Further information
Winter weather advice
Information to help prepare and deal with the worst the season may bring.
The Snow Code
Don't be put off clearing paths because you're afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves. The Snow Code contains advice issued by the Department for Transport on clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your home or public spaces to prevent slips and falls.