Summer may not be quite at an end yet but BCP Cabinet has already approved the ‘Winter Service Continuity Plan’ to ensure we can all keep moving during the winter months.
The plan details the BCP Council’s preparations and responses to the dropping temperatures and adverse weather conditions whether it be heavy snow, rain or freezing temperatures over the winter period.
Under this new plan officers will monitor weather conditions from the start of October through until the end of March.
They will make decisions about which roads are to be gritted based on the latest forecast of road surface temperatures. Road surfaces will also be monitored by strategically placed highway sensors which provide accurate ‘on the ground’ surface and air temperatures, so that officers can be alerted to any changes and then work out the optimum times to grit the highways.
Councillor Dr Felicity Rice, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate & Environment said: “BCP Council officers have been working hard to get this plan in place so that as residents we can all carry on safely with our day to day activities during the winter.
“As we carry out our review of the winter service across the whole of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we will also be looking at additional options around safety for those that walk, cycle and use the bus.”
The new plan will cover all BCP Council classified A roads, access to Poole Port, Bournemouth Airport, Emergency Service buildings, Royal Bournemouth and Poole A&E departments, St Marys Maternity Unit and the links to the A31.