Peter Daniels joins Denbighshire’s winter salt & maintenance team ahead of this year’s season
It’s ironic as I join the Denbighshire winter maintenance team planning for this coming winter that it’s on a sticky and humid day in mid-summer. “We usually carry out our preparations during the hottest days of the year” said senior manager Tim Towers, with a smile.
Keeping the county’s A and B roads open is a major task. Last winter was the longest and the worst since 2010. Denbighshire spread over 170,000 cwt of salt, or nearly 9,000 tons’ worth—about twice the usual amount. Last winter started very mildly but increasingly frosts and ice resulted in a long gritting season, with twice the number of runs than usual. In 2017/18, we had three significant snow events. During the winter before, there was none. There was a major snow event in December 2017 but it was the last week of February and the first week in March 2018 that people will remember.
Tim Towers recalls commenting at the beginning of March, “Winter was due to finish but it felt like it was only about to begin”. By this time, spreading crews had already worked long, hard, over-night hours and were tiring, having been out more often than usual and sometimes around the clock. Crews face challenging conditions with or without ploughs fitted and, at night, operate their entire shift under the continual hypnotic distraction of the reflection on the road surface ahead of them of their flashing amber beacons. There’s no escaping it. “It’s a headache in every sense of the word”, said Tim.
Air temperatures in late February went down to –9°c, the lowest since 2010. This is below the temperature when salt begins to lose its effectiveness. On St David’s Day, fine snow on strong easterlies caused drifting on high and even lower ground. It is during times such as these that officers have to patrol to spot, report and direct crews to the worst affected areas.
Although most comments on social media praised Denbighshire’s snow response, there were a few who criticised Denbighshire’s management. Complaints usually revolve around questions like, “So, just where were the gritters?”.
Spreaders cannot, of course, be everywhere at the same time. They can get stuck thanks to abandoned vehicles. They are not even immune from sliding off the road, as a report of a Denbighshire gritter in December’s Daily Mail proved. Tim said: “During heavy daytime snow, spreaders join the queues of slow-moving traffic that inevitably quickly build up along main roads as, ironically, motorists all at the same time take to the roads they know will be treated”. As complaints come in, we respond. It’s a case of checking the gritters’ trackers to prove when roads were treated & when, diverting managers away from the business of moving resources in real time.
While the drivers themselves are rightly praised for the work they do, Denbighshire’s winter maintenance management is no less vigilant and no less hard-working. Managers work overnight at need, alongside their drivers. They spend long hours on-call in rotation, 24 hours a day over a seven day period. They are probably the most experienced team in North Wales. The Ruthin-based duty officer alone has 35 years’ experience. Even with ever more sophisticated satellite imagery and modern forecasting, a lot depends on the skill and judgement of those on duty, in calling in resources, in judging exactly at what height above sea level to treat, in considering the type & spread rate of salt and when exactly this should be during the day. Or night. Or both.
Indeed, salt at the wrong time and it may get washed away. Salt too late and you risk crashes. It’s crucial to get salt down before snow falls but this never guarantees that it will prevent settling snow. No amount of salt will do that in heavy, persistent snowfall. On the other hand, chasing after heavy, isolated snow showers while trying to predict the exact location in which they fall is tricky.
A and B roads are the priority but officers will respond to particular circumstances. Farmers who are running short of just-in-time feeds are among those who ask for—and usually get—a positive response from managers, on animal welfare grounds.
Spreading at 1 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. plus during the day are all part of a public service usually taken for granted.
As neck ties come off in the summer heat, it’s difficult to imagine managers and staff working around the clock in freezing conditions to keep our roads open. But that’s what they’ll begin doing from from this month onwards, till March.
Snowy Statistics 2017/18
- Amount of salt used in Denbighshire: 170,000 cwt
- Amount of salt used on the Ruthin area: 65,000 cwt
- Total mileage operated: 98,000
- Mileage in Ruthin area: 39,000
- No. of days during which spreaders in action in 17/18: 184
- No. of days in action during typical winter: 70
- Pool of duty managers: 5
- Pool of supervisors: 10
- Pool of drivers: 35
Credit to Peter Daniels and the Ruthin Civic Association for the article
Licenced premises urged to be well prepared for Christmas
North Wales Police and the Council are urging licensed premises to be well prepared for the festive period.
Licensees are reminded to ensure intended activities are covered by their licence/certificate or an exemption and any extended hours planned are within those permitted by your licence.
Chief Inspector Andrew Williams said: “Everyone has a part to play in ensuring a safe and vibrant nightlife across Denbighshire.
“Good planning before we get into the weeks and days before Christmas and New Year can help make it a successful and safe time for everyone.”
Cllr Tony Thomas, the Council’s lead member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “Licensees will be aware of their licence conditions but they should just take time to check their conditions to ensure there are no restrictions on the proposed activities.
“If there will be any activities outside the scope of their licence then they will need to obtain a temporary event notice.”
Other points for licensees to consider include:
- Ensure that any temporary staff are fully trained in their responsibilities and that they are authorised to sell alcohol.
- Refresher training is recommended for all existing staff as a reminder of their responsibilities, which can be overlooked during busy periods.
- Remind staff that they should not sell alcohol to under 18’s. All premises should implement an age restriction policy, such as Challenge 25, and keep a refusals book.
- Remind staff that they should not sell alcohol to persons who appear to be drunk. All premises should follow the principles of the “Time for Home” initiative and refuse to serve anyone who is clearly drunk.
- Be aware that any proposed drinks’ promotion does not breach the mandatory licence conditions.
- Ensure that any door staff employed are licensed with the Security Industry Authority and wear their badges.
- Take steps to prevent any activities causing a nuisance to neighbours, including regular monitoring of noise levels.
- Check the CCTV system is operational
- Have a list of call out numbers, not just for emergency services but to ensure the premise can operate throughout (electrician, plumber CCTV etc.)
If you require advice or guidance on licensing matters please contact a member of the licensing team on 01824 706342 or licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.
Keep an eye on the vulnerable in Denbighshire plea
With the arrival of winter, we are urging people to be a good neighbour and keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable.
Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “We are asking people to take care of our most vulnerable by keeping an eye on them and making sure they are safe and well.
“If people have neighbours, friends or relatives that are unwell, they are encouraged to visit, making sure they have everything they need and to offer with any daily tasks such as shopping. It is also important to check they are eating properly and keeping their property warm.
“You may be the only visitor they will have so it is a question of being kind and considerate. The severe weather is getting closer and is likely to last for another two to three days, so we want to make sure people do not feel vulnerable or isolated.
“Showing care and compassion towards the elderly or vulnerable will really make a difference to their quality of life”.
“This message is very poignant at this time of day, especially around Christmas when it can be a lonely time for those living on their own.
If you have any concerns about a vulnerable person, please call the Single Point of Access, on 0300 456 1000, or for out of hours, the Emergency Duty Team, on 0345 0533116.
Reminder about the Free after Three parking initiative
The Council’s free parking after 3pm is running every day until December 31st, to encourage more people to use their local high street for shopping in the run up to Christmas and New Year.
The Free After Three initiative is available in the following car parks:
Corwen: Green Lane
Denbigh: Barkers Well Lane; Crown Lane; Factory Ward; Post Office Lane; Vale Street
Llangollen: East Street; Hall Street; Market Street; Mill Street
Prestatyn: Lower High Street; Post Office; Railway station
Rhuddlan: Parliament Street
Rhyl: Morfa Hall (Disabled bays only); Morley Road; Queen Street; Sky Tower; West Kinmel Street.
Ruthin: Crispin Yard; Dog Lane; Market Street; Park Road; Rhos Street; St Peter's Square; Troed y Rhiw.
St Asaph: Bowling Green
Stay safe and book taxis this festive period
With the festive period nearly upon us, we are urging residents to stay safe this Christmas and book taxis in advance of their evening out.
Unlicensed taxis are a common problem across the country and with the Christmas party season in full swing it's important to know how to tell an unlicensed taxi from a licensed one.
All vehicles will be identified by individually numbered plates front and back with hackney carriage vehicles also having a roof sign, while all drivers will carry ID badges.
Councillor Tony Thomas, the Council’s lead member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: "Unlicensed taxis may seem to offer a better deal but it's not worth risking your safety to save a few pounds.
“These vehicles are not insured as taxis and the drivers have not gone through the rigorous checking involved in the licensing process.
“Licensing officers will be carrying out checks to ensure no unlicensed taxis are operating in the area. Never get in a taxi without first checking that it's the one you have booked or that it's a legitimate Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle.”
When the party is over and you need to get home, remember these guidelines about council licensed taxis:
- Hackney Carriage Vehicles have a plate attached to the front and rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle details and licence number.
- Hackney Carriages can ply for hire from designated taxi ranks and can pick up passengers who flag them down.
- Private Hire Vehicles have a blue sign attached to the rear doors of the vehicle showing the licence and a plate at the rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle details and licence number.
- Private Hire Vehicles can only be booked in advance through an operator.
Never get in to a vehicle that does not display an appropriate plate at the rear. It is not insured and may not be licensed. Ensure that the driver is displaying a council approved driver's badge. For your own safety, always take a council licensed vehicle - the driver and vehicle have both been vetted.
Councillor Hugh Irving, chair of Denbighshire’s Licensing Committee, said: “Don't let a good night out be ruined by an unlicensed taxi. Always book in advance or make sure you have the number of several local taxi firms stored in your mobile phone before going out.
“Before getting in a taxi ensure the driver knows the destination and always sit in the back. Make sure that you're picked up and dropped off somewhere familiar and well lit, however if you feel uneasy with the driver ask him to stop at a busy, familiar place and get out.”