Team ready for big freeze as winter looms

Local authorities across Staffordshire and the Black Country started preparing for the cold weather at the height of summer and are now putting their plans into action.

More than 48,000 tons of grit has been bought into the Midlands ready to be help keep more than 1,000 miles of roads clear, while snow shovels have been shipped out to help people dig their way out of their drives.

Teams of engineers have also been out examining some of the busiest routes to make sure any cracks are dealt before the frost and ice arrives.

Grit lorries have also been undergoing maintenance and undertaking 'dry runs' to ensure they are prepared.

They may not have to wait too long to get out onto the roads though – after one of the mildest Octobers on record forecasters have warned winter is on the way with snow already reported this month up in Cumbria.

In Wolverhampton the public health team have stepped up their efforts to make sure that vulnerable people and their families are aware of what they can do to stay well this winter.

They are urging the at risk groups, such as pensioners, to have a flu jab and stock up their medicine cabinets ahead of winter.

The team which run the city's meals on wheels service are also preparing for any cold spells.

Tina Lauchlan, catering and cleaning operations manager said: "The meals on wheels team have an excellent track record of being able to get the meals out no matter what the conditions are out there.

"Staff go the extra mile and managers will go out delivering if necessary – pulling out all the stops to make sure their customers get something to eat and a visit to make sure they are coping in the cold weather."

In Sandwell, council bosses are distributing shovels and salt to the 7,500 people who have signed up to their Snow Champions scheme in a bid to keep their driveways and pavements clear.

This year school's are also being given shovels and grit to help them clear their driveways and paths.

In Staffordshire their similar Ice Busters scheme is also well under way. The initiative is aimed at parish councils and residents associations who are able to mobilise dedicated volunteers to treat the pathways during periods of prolonged cold weather and clear snow over the winter.

Sandwell Council has now also introduced a hotline for council tenants to ring if their water pipes freeze, and extra engineers will be on standby when the cold weather hits.

In Walsall they have developed a cold weather plan to ensure the most vulnerable people are looked after during the cold weather while in Dudley they are currently stocking up the 800 grit bins across the borough.

Dudley Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for transportation, said he is dedicated to making sure the roads are kept clear and that residents are updated.

He said: "As a community council we are also committed to keeping borough residents informed of service changes which can be unavoidable in severe weather."