HORSHAM DISTRICT EMERGENCY WINTER PLAN
The bus routes through the village are listed as ‘Priority 2’ for clearance after main (‘Priority 1’ –P1) routes such as the A24. Of interest, The Long Furlong route is P1 as is the A283. The A27 is P2 past Worthing and only P1 from Angmering to Chichester’. The A29 is P2. Anyone interested in ‘the plan’ can view the map here Road Clearance Priority . It is a 2.9mb download. I have downloaded a reduced size image here.
No Parish pavements are listed as ‘priority’ for clearance and there is actually NO ‘priority’ given to any parts of West Chiltington apart from the bus routes.
Regarding help from local farmers etc. in clearing snow, which was offered but not used in January, PROVIDING any work undertaken is done under the authority of either HDC or the Parish Council, full public liability will be covered under council policies. I would therefore ask anyone again offering such help to contact the Parish Council in the first instance and if no response is forthcoming, to then try HDC. Any work undertaken purely on your own initiative will NOT be covered under council liability. If you hit an organisational ‘brick wall’ I can try to help. This is from the HDC paper:
Working on Behalf of Horsham District Council (HDC) After consultation with risk and insurance team at Zurich I can confirm that the District Councils approach to public liability insurance is consistent with that of West Sussex County Council.
In brief: If Horsham District Council ask Parish Councils or volunteers to help as part of a mutual aid arrangement & they carry out duties on behalf of HDC & under our direction (say clearing pavements which are our responsibility) then those actions will be picked up by HDC policies. All tasks conducted on behalf of HDC however should be appropriately risk assessed and documented. If under the same conditions a Parish Council asks if it is OK to clear them (but does so of their own volition) then they (the Parish Council) should expect their own liability policy cover to operate. If the Parish Council just do it without any referral to HDC then clearly it is down to their (the Parish Councils) own public liability policy cover.
It is always wise and best practice to work along suitable & sufficient risk assessments to ensure that any work undertaken by the Parish Council is done so in a safe and practical manner.
Once again it is stated that members of the public undertaking clearance of snow and ice on their own pavements and paths etc are extremely unlikely to run into any problems PROVIDED they take the necessary care. Here is the HDC guidance for you:
The SNOW CODE - tips on clearing snow and ice from pavements or public spaces
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful - don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
Clear the snow or ice early in the day It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight. Always move snow to a porous surface such as a grass verge or garden. Move snow to a location where it will create another risk such as another part of the pavement, road or where people are likely to walk.
Use salt or sand - not water If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins - this will be needed to keep the roads clear. Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage. If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
Take care where you move the snow When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared firs, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact your local council.
This is what is expected of our Parish Council:
Step Action Ensure a person or team has been selected to coordinate local resources, other residents and West Sussex County Council during adverse weather. All 1 names and contact details should be listed in the Communications and Contacts Section of the Parish emergency plan. Provide WSCC with an e-mail address if you (and your team) wish to receive a copy of the daily decision. It should also be agreed who is going to check 2 the e-mail daily and what actions they will take if adverse weather is predicted. Keep a suitable scaled map of the Parish with your plan (these are available 3 from Horsham District Council). The Parish/Neighbourhood emergency planning team should familiarize 4 themselves with the roads that are treated by West Sussex County Council. These are available in all Parish plans. It’s advised that councils mark any areas of concern identified in the Roads 5 and footpaths that require particular attention for snow/ice treatment on to their Parish/Neighbourhood maps. All known locations of grit bins and/or suitable drop off sites for hippo bags of 6 salt/grit should also be marked on the map. The plan must include a statement about how you intend to manage these bags and their contents. Approach volunteers to see what assistance they can offer. Their names and contact details should be listed in the plan with what assistance they can offer 7 (i.e. salt spreading, snow clearing, 4x4 driving etc…) These details can be found in the Welfare & Morale and the Community Resources sections of the Parish emergency plan. Approach local farmers and enquire if they are willing to assist with winter 8 maintenance operations (i.e. if WSCC provide snow plough and equipment would they help clear routes?) 9 Make a list of people with 4x4 vehicles (and other all terrain modes of transport) who are prepared to assist. Make a particular reference to vulnerable people who may need assistance 10 during prolonged periods of adverse weather. Ensure that once this document is circulated to the Local Authority – Horsham 11 District Council and that each member of the Parish / Neighbourhood emergency planning team has an up to date copy.
In order to ensure that all agencies work off a common operational picture all Parish & Neighbourhoods have been tasked with annotating winter priority maps. These maps are expected to identify the following and are available from Bruce Milton (GIS Officer):
1. The location of the designated council emergency management headquarters
2. Possible locations for community emergency accommodation
3. Roads that require particular attention for snow/ice treatment
4. Pavements that require particular attention for snow/ice treatment
5. Suitable drop off sites for 1 tonne hippo bags of salt/grit (preferably 2, 3 max)
6. The locations of any grit bins you may have in your area
7. Any major car parks in your Parish that Horsham DC own and operate.
Other recommendations from HDC are:
7.7. Communications & Guidance for Members of the Public
Actions to be considered:- Establish an information service and links to other support services via the website; Establish a media centre (if necessary) with remote access to press liaison officers from the main organisations involved in the event; If no media centre, co-ordination of press releases; Maintain contact with local radio and TV; Establish which representatives will be present at press briefings, and the frequency of those briefings; Maintain contact with Members, Parish & Neighbourhood Councils and Business Groups.
Key messages:- Minimise public movement – details of road closures, school closures, public transport currently running; Essential journeys – if journeys have to be made, be prepared. Take shovel, sleeping bag, hot drink and food – what to do if stranded i.e. stay with the vehicle. Let others know of your plans; Details of where convoys are being organised along major routes; Details of local community arrangements being made; Where there is sufficient warning, advice on stocking up with food, candles etc. Messages must be carefully considered to prevent sparking off panic buying etc. Help lines/one-stop information lines available; Advice on surviving cold-weather conditions; Emergency services will need to re-prioritise their response to calls; Minimise usage of telephone / cellnet systems to prevent overload. Regular press appeals may reduce demand on the networks.
Parish Councils Ensure the relevant documentation (i.e. Emergency Plans & Winter Maintenance maps are provided to the Emergency Planning Officer at HDC.
Upon activation of the winter plan liaise with HDC about any assistance or works required.
That ownership of dropped slat/ grit supplies (Hippo bags) takes place to ensure that the resource is effectively used.
Ensure Parish Priority routes are treated before all other areas with pre-identified equipment and resources.
Liaise with WSCC regarding matters of road clearance or treatment.
Coordinate local efforts with volunteers and contractors and where possible use suitable risk assessments, advice and guidance to demonstrate best practice.
Identify any vulnerable individuals who may require assistance during the period of heavy snow / low temperatures.