Preparing for winter weather

Gritting in the Bradford district

We have been busy putting our winter plans and preparations in place for the past few months.

We have hired ten brand new gritter wagons to bring the total of wagons serving the district to 34. All the gritters have been prepared for winter, rotas for drivers and managers are ready and our drivers have been out to practice their allocated routes.

Supplies of grit for the coming winter season have been delivered to our depots and we have about 24,000 tonnes ready for spreading.

Met Office – ‘Weather Ready’ campaign

To help the public be better prepared for severe weather all year round, the Met Office has launched ‘Weather Ready’. Run in partnership with the Cabinet Office, the initiative provides expert advice on travel, protecting your home and your health and wellbeing.

Look out for one another

Check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends. Make sure they are alright and have what they need before snow and ice is forecast, so that they don’t feel they have to venture out.

Homelessness

No one needs to sleep out in the cold. During the winter we work with partners to open a ‘cold weather provision’ for rough sleepers. Additional beds will be made available and outreach workers go out making sure no-one has to sleep on the streets in the cold weather. Everyone who stays for a cold weather bed is provided with support around resolving their housing situation on a longer term basis. If you are worried about someone sleeping on the streets call 01274 309165.

Plan your transport

Do you really need to go out? Could you work from home? If you do need to go out in icy and snowy conditions, think about alternatives to using the car. Check the West Yorkshire Metro website for local bus and train information.

Prepare your car

Check your battery and fluid levels, fit winter tyres. Put together a winter kit for your boot, with things like a shovel, grit, jump leads, tow rope, warm clothing, bottled water and something to eat. If you have to drive in snow make sure you clear the whole car of snow and ice before you set off. Check priority gritting routes on the council’s website for your whole journey. Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Think about where you park your car, if it’s on a priority grit route could it cause an obstruction to a gritting wagon.

Winter-proof your bike ride

Sustrans have some great tips on how to stay happy and safe on your bike when cycling during the cold and icy winter months. It has information about how to winter-proof your bike and your riding style to keep you pedalling all winter.

Top Tips from Sustrans

Prepare for if there’s a power cut

Prepare your home

Have your boiler checked and serviced yearly so that it’s safe and will start when you most need it. Test smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they work. Ensure pipes are insulated so that they don’t freeze and burst. Know where and how to turn off gas, electricity and water to your home so that you can do it in an emergency.

Looking after pets

Winter preparation checklist

• check out the Met Office’s Weather Ready advice
• sign up for Met Office alerts for Yorkshire and the Humber
• sign up for Environment Agency Flood Warnings
• checking our website for priority grit routes, grit bin locations and winter advice
• encourage family and friends to sign up for our severe weather email bulletins
• follow @Bradfordmdc on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information
• put in your phone or make a list of key numbers
• make preparations to you home and car
• prepare yourself and family with alternative arrangements for work, childcare
• book in for a flu vaccination, especially if you are aged 65 and over
• Check NHS advice for keeping well and warm in cold weather

More about Weather Ready?

Council service disruptions

When there are disruptions to our services due to severe weather we posted on the service disruptions page of our website.

Council service disruptions