Latest advice during the bad weather from Mid Sussex Council 

Mid Sussex District Council wants to remind residents of the Government’s ‘Snow Code’ guidance for dealing with harsh weather conditions.

The ‘Snow Code’ comes from Central Government and can be read on Mid Sussex District Council’s website where there is also a great deal of advice regarding dealing with any emergencies – www.midsussex.gov.uk/emergencies. Information on emergencies can also be obtained on the website home page and key stories will be heavily promoted ensuring that information is up to date and residents know who they should be contacting during an emergency.

Following the severe snow and icy conditions the District experienced last year, Mid Sussex District Council brought together members of the Emergency Planning Liaison Group for a ‘Snow Summit’. Representatives from Mid Sussex, Parish and Town Councils, the Police, health agencies, West Sussex Fire and Rescue and West Sussex County Council met at Mid Sussex District Council to find new ways of working closely together to manage the impact of severe weather.

Town Councils across the District have been receiving their own stocks of salt to help them deal with severe weather on our communities. Previously, it was white and difficult to see where it had been placed, but this time it is not white, and therefore more visible.

West Sussex County Council has doubled its salt stocks and these have been distributed by delivering to the critical areas. Given the extreme conditions, West Sussex County Council is publishing a ‘Daily Decision’ showing priorities for snow clearance so that local councils can make any supplementary arrangements. West Sussex County Council has the primary responsibility for gritting/salting roads and to read more about their work, please see http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/.

“Given the harsh weather we are experiencing, we all need to know how to best look after ourselves and others,” said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “We need to work to look after the vulnerable members of our society and to ensure that everyone is cared for to the best of our capabilities.

“It is important that we all work hard to keep life functioning as normally as possible without supplies running out or people being cut-off. As Central Government guidance explains, there is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces. Providing you use common sense, and take care not to make the surface more dangerous than it was before, there is no reason residents and local traders cannot help out. This winter it would be great to see everyone play their part and, where possible, lend a hand to help themselves and others.”

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PR1354/TB/JC
2 December 2010