Archive Council News

This page is a news release published by Wrexham County Borough Council.
Content Author: pressoffice@wrexham.gov.uk

08 January 2010

Severe Weather Update 11.00 am Friday 08.01.10

All of the Council’s main routes have been kept clear Traffic has continued to flow and our Pride in Your Streets operators have been working throughout the period to make sure that we do all that we can to keep Wrexham moving in what is the longest cold snap in over 30 years.

Currently, the Council has sufficient supply of rock salt to keep the main priority routes clear. The Council continues to follow its Winter Maintenance Policy which prioritises that we keep the following routes clear:  Major bus routes, including trunk roads [A483] and A and B class roads.

Central Government have now taken over the supply of salt to local authorities on a priority basis.
Wrexham Council regrets that it cannot respond to individual requests for gritting from members of the public during this period of time.

All council receptions desks are operating normally.

All council car parks are open and users are advised to use caution.

Bin Collections

Refuse collectors will be out tomorrow (Saturday) in areas that would have been collected on Thursday 7th January but because of the recent bank holidays are scheduled to be collected tomorrow (9th January).

All possible attempts will be made to empty the bins and recyclables in these areas but as the conditions remain severe Wrexham Council cannot give a guarantee that this will happen and it is likely that operators will not be able to reach some areas.

If residents are uncertain whether their bin is scheduled to be collected they are asked to check their bin sticker and also check their calendars for which colour bin to put out.  All residual waste associated with this bin will also be collected.  Information is available on the Bin Collections page or by calling Contact Wrexham 01978 298989.

At this point in time it is not known whether collections will take place on Monday and households are advised to listen to Heart FM or check Bin Collections on Sunday Evening.

Bus Services

The majority of bus routes remain operational today although some route changes and a small number of non running services are still in place.  The Environment Services and Transportation and Asset Management Departments have played a large part in ensuring that major bus routes have been cleared.  Information on those bus routes which are currently operating can be found on the Council’s website in www.wrexham.gov.uk/bus.

Schools

Today 26 of the 77 County Borough schools are closed. At the present time it is not known how many will be open on Monday. In order to find out which schools are open check the Council’s website or tune in to Heart FM. For those parents and guardians whose children are eligible for free school transport school bus and taxi providers know that they should make every effort to get children to school. If parents want to know if school transport is running on Monday they are advised to check with the bus or taxi provider and details can be found on http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/events/severe_weather.htm#q3   Information can can also be found by calling the Education Transport Team at Wrexham County Borough Council on 292056.

Glyndwr University

University suspends start of term due to cold weather.

Given the recent bad weather, which is expected to continue for several days, the decision has been taken to close Glyndwr University to staff and students as of 3.30pm today (Thursday 7 January). It will remain closed to all on Friday 8 January and Monday 11 January.

It is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday 12 January to staff, but the University has suspended the start of the new term for students by a week. The spring term will now begin on Monday 18 January.

The effects of the adverse weather conditions are likely to last for some time and Glyndwr University's reserves of grit have been exhausted.

The University's problems have arisen because replacement grit supplies, ordered before the start of the cold snap, have now been diverted to local authorities and the region's hospitals as the whole of the UK runs short of salt and sand. As the University has exhausted its existing supplies, it is no longer in a position to guarantee the safety of either the Wrexham or Northop campuses. It has reluctantly therefore decided to delay the new term by a week.

University officials are now working to minimise the impact this delay will have on the rest of the academic year.

Arrangements are being made for the rescheduling of exams, originally intended to be held next week.

Students are advised to check the Glyndwr University homepage for more information at http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/ or call the Student Information Desk on 01978 293439

Elderly & Vulnerable People

Social Care are continuing to respond to clients needs. Residents throughout the county borough are asked to be alert and aware of any elderly and vulnerable in the community and of the need wherever possible to provide support to help them remain warm and safe or to contact social services on 01978 292066.

For further information: http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/events/severe_weather.htm#q3.

Sport, Leisure, Libraries, Culture & Heritage

All Council owned football pitches will be closed this coming weekend. The telephone number for football pitch booking office is 01978 364920.

Information about council leisure facilities are given for information below. The latest information is available on 01978 297410 until 17.30 hrs.

Current Leisure, Libraries and Culture Information as at 3.30 pm on 8th January 2010

Leisure Centres

  • Chirk – open
  • Clywedog – open
  • Darland – open
  • Morgan Llwyd – open
  • Rhiwabon - open
  • Rhosnesni – open
  • Queensway – open  
  • Plas Madoc – open
  • Waterworld – open

Libraries

  • Brymbo Library – open
  • Brynteg Library and Memorial Centre – open but closing 1 hour early due to local conditions
  • Cefn Mawr Library – open
  • Chirk Library – open
  • Coedpoeth Library –open from Saturday 9th January
  • Gresford Library - open
  • Gwersyllt Library and Resource Centre - open
  • Homelink (Service to Housebound People) – vehicle is not going out
  • Llay Library – open
  • Mobile Library – out on usual rounds
  • Overton Library – open
  • Rhos Library – open
  • Ruabon Library - open
  • Wrexham Library – open

Culture & Heritage

  • Oriel – is open as normal
  • Museum – closed to the public as per schedule for refurbishment works – contact telephone number is 01978 317970

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