Hundreds of Gloucestershire villages risk being cut off next winter …

Hundreds of villages across Gloucestershire are at risk of being cut off next winter as they do not have a plan to deal with extreme weather. Gloucestershire County Councillors[1] are concerned that 80 per cent of all parish councils do not have a winter action plan.

Highways chiefs at Shire Hall[2] have worked to produce winter action plans with a total of 52 parish, town councils and local community groups. These plans are tailored to each community and are based on their respective needs and the resources available.

The county council[3] has some communities that have snow wardens, snow plough operators, volunteers with hand salt spreaders, hold bagged salt and fill grit bins and some that just hold a bagged salt stock for the community to help with local problem areas. However, Cllr David Willingham (LD, St Peter’s and St Mark’s) believes more parishes should get involved and develop a winter action plan. He raised concerns at this week’s environment scrutiny committee.

“It looks like 80 per cent of the parishes have not got a winter action plan. One option might be to write to all 212 of the ones who haven’t suggested they make contact.”

Head of highways Kath Haworth explained the county council writes to each of them every year. She said the authority is hoping to get more parish councils signed up this year as they have taken on an officer to coordinate it.

“We do write to them every year. And we have the extra funding this year to have somebody who can coordinate and prod that a little bit harder. Hopefully, we will get considerably more parishes signed up with an action plan for the coming season.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Willingham said: "At this time of year, with spring turning into summer, developing a Winter Action Plan may not be the first thing on most parish councils' agendas. However, if they don't currently have a Winter Action Plan agreed with the County Council, I would urge them to start thinking about it now."

References

  1. ^ Gloucestershire County Councillors (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Shire Hall (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ county council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Concerns over new residential parking permits being introduced in Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)

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