Calderdale Council is prepared for the snow which is forecast overnight and tomorrow morning (Friday 29 December 2017).
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for snow in West Yorkshire. The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 8am and 10am on Friday, with up to 5.5cm possible from 6am.
Six gritters are out treating known wet spots from 4pm today, with two more gritters patrolling and treating any hazards between 8pm and midnight. From midnight all of the Council’s gritters will be out pre-treating roads on precautionary routes and will continue to take action as required.
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:
“Although we are doing everything we can to keep Calderdale safe and moving, we advise people to avoid any non-essential travel tomorrow morning, especially between 6am and 10am.”
As gritters will have snow ploughs attached, they will need a clear width of 3.5m between parked cars, so residents are urged to leave enough space when they park tonight.
The Council has additional tractors with snow ploughs available to help clear snow if needed. During any snowfall, priority will be given to requests from the emergency services.
If it is not possible to clear snow quicker than it falls, gritters will concentrate on clearing the primary network. This will ensure that the main priority routes which the majority of people use are kept clear, and access to emergency services is maintained. Once primary routes are cleared, the remaining roads on the precautionary network will be cleared.
Extra grit bins are now in place across Calderdale and refills can be requested on the Council’s website: Request grit bin refill.
For more information about gritting and routes, please visit the Winter service and gritting page on the Council’s website.
The Council will keep residents updated on any impacts that the weather may have on its services.
Throughout winter people can follow the Council’s Winter Wise Guide to stay safe and warm and help others during bad weather.