A-Z of Services

Archive Council News

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

10 January 2010

Severe Weather Update 17.00 Sunday 10 January 2010

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

Wrexham Council’s Environment Staff have worked over the weekend to clear footways in the vicinity of schools in the Brynteg, Brymbo, New Broughton, Rhostyllen, Rhos, Chirk, Acrefair, Trevor and Fron areas.

The threat of snow has been down graded however we are still expecting some accumulations from 23.00hrs (particularly on high ground). Crews are presalting ahead of the forecast and will be on standy over night. Snow may of course affect bus routes, schools and road conditions.

Currently, the Council has sufficient supply of rock salt to keep the main priority routes clear and will continue to salt overnight. 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 expected to be operating normally on Monday morning.

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

Bin Collections

Refuse collectors will be out tomorrow (Monday) in areas that would have been collected on Friday 8th January but because of the recent bank holidays are scheduled to be collected Monday 9th January. Please check bin stickers for your next day of collection and your calendar for the correct colour bin to put out. All residual waste associated with your coloured bin will also be collected. Information is available on the Bin Collections page or by calling Contact Wrexham 01978 298989.

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.

At this point in time it is not known whether collections will take place on Tuesday so please check this website on Monday evening or listen to Heart FM or check Bin Collections on Monday Evening.

Councillor David Bithell Lead Member for Environment and Transport said that although we are expecting some snow overnight and into Monday, we are attempting to carry out refuse collections on Monday morning and ask residents to put there bins and recycling box out for collection if their bin sticker states Fridays 8th January to be collected on Monday 11th January. I appreciate the difficulties residents are having and we will be attempting to resume normal services as soon as possible and will give a further update each day on the council's website and Heart radio.

Public Transport

The majority of bus routes remained operational throughout the weekend although with some routes disrupted. 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 operating can be found on the Council’s website in www.wrexham.gov.uk/bus.

Schools

On Friday 51 of the County Borough’s 77 schools were open. 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 School Closures page 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 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 or call the Student Information Desk on 01978 293439.

Welfare Issues

Social Care staff 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.

Sports, Leisure, Libraries and Culture & Heritage

All Council owned football pitches were closed this weekend and a decision will be taken later in the week regarding next weekend. The telephone number for football pitch booking is 01978 364920.

Information about council leisure facilities including the Museum and Library services is available on 01978 297140.