Council’s Highways team battles extreme conditions to keep major routes clear
Highway crews are currently out gritting and ploughing Swindon’s major routes as snow continues to fall across the borough this morning (1 Feb).
Published: Friday, 1st February 2019
So far more than 150 tonnes of salt have been put on around 200 miles of the town’s strategic highway network with drivers working around the clock in an effort to keep routes clear.
Wiltshire Police have closed five roads in the borough including Kingshill Road, Salthrop Priors Hill and Victoria Road. The entire northbound carriageway of the A419 has also been closed.
Motorists are being reminded to only travel if it is essential as, although the majority of the main routes are passable with care, many of the rural routes remain challenging.
A number of Council services have been affected, with waste collections temporarily suspended and school and social care transport services are not in operation today. Due to increased pressures, the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Cheney Manor will be closed from 1pm.
The Council’s housing repairs service has also been affected, but priority is being given to emergency heating calls.
There is also limited access to Customer Services and the dog warden collection services is temporarily suspended. If members of the public see a stray dog, they are advised to take it to the nearest vet.
The Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre is currently open but will close at 2pm.
The library services has also been affected by the weather. While Central Library will be open as usual but with reduced staff numbers, Park Library has access only for library card users and Penhill Library and Wroughton Library are closed.
Further snow is forecast for today and regular updates on Council services, including library closures, are available via the home page of the Council’s website: www.swindon.gov.uk.
When the temperature drops, some people are at increased risk of developing serious health conditions, falls and injuries. The Council is encouraging people to keep warm and well, aiming for temperatures of 18C indoors, to eat more fruit and vegetables and to keep active.
Residents can also get updates on Twitter @SwindonCouncil or on Facebook by searching ‘Swindon Borough Council’.