Cheshire West and Chester council braced for further spells of icy weather across the area

Dec 31 2009 by Mark Dowling, Chester Chronicle

THE new year is expected to begin on a frosty note, with further spells of icy weather forecast for the Chester area.

Temperatures are predicted to struggle to get above freezing over the next 10 days as Cheshire West and Chester Council braces itself to cope with the conditions.

And as schools and services return on Monday, January 4, following the holidays, the need for roads and pathways to be gritted to prevent traffic chaos has been emphasised.

A council spokesman said: “We are prepared for more bad weather and regularly receive updates from the Met office and our weather stations in the borough.

“We have council officers and BAM Nuttall staff on duty 24/7 throughout any period of snow and ice.

“We have sufficient levels of salt at Guilden Sutton depot and we are able to draw salt directly from the mine at Winsford.

“On nights where frost or icy conditions are forecast, salt will be spread to prevent ice forming across 40% of the council’s roads.

“Salting is normally completed within four hours and usually before 7am.”

The council also advised residents to help out older people who may struggle on pathways if there are icy patches about, to prevent potential accidents.