PooleNews No.59 December 2011 / January 2012 Poole celebrates two world class events this year – the completion of the structure of the Twin Sails Bridge and Poole Pirates speedway success as Elite League champions and winners of the Knockout Cup and Elite League Pairs Trophy Welcome from Leader of the Council, Councillor Elaine Atkinson As 2011 draws to a close, it’s grit bins this year to keep Poole good to refl ect on the past 12 moving should the snow and months and look forward to the ice return this year. year ahead. Of course, we can all look This time last year we were forward to 2012 and the exciting in the grip of the some of the prospect of Poole’s Twin Sails worst snow and ice that Poole Bridge opening very soon. As had seen in many years. On you’ll see in this edition, work In this edition the whole, our services coped on the lifting bridge is rapidly as well as could be expected nearing completion. Having 7 Twin Sails – nearing in very diffi cult circumstances had the privilege of watching its completion thanks to the hard work and construction at close hand, I’m 8 A day in the life of ... commitment of our staff. sure the Twin Sails Bridge will Poole’s waste operatives Nevertheless, there are always be a stunning symbol of Poole’s lessons to learn and while it is civic pride for many years to 10 Green waste – the way impossible to predict what the come. forward winter will bring, we’ve been Finally, may I take this 15 Council and area busy preparing for the coming opportunity to wish you all a meetings months. We’ve reviewed our Merry Christmas and a healthy 16 Keep safe this Christmas winter strategy for treating the and happy New Year. – Operation Protect roads and are providing extra 18 Coastal Credit Union CHRISTMAS COMPETITION expands its services Christmas. Starring Ed Petrie (CBBC), st Of The Summer Wine), as well as s story has pumpkins, glass slippers, amily treat for all ages. 20 Camera car patrols school y teaming up with Poole News to offer lid for 4 people, minimum 1 child) for mber 28th and January 8th. To win, just parking ly is Cinderella’s slipper made from? e.co.uk by Friday 16th December nday 8 january 22 What’s on have a ball! co.uk Follow Borough of Poole at: 4/ 10/ 5 11 14 http://www.facebook.com/ Preparing for winter Christmas in Poole WIN family tickets YourBoroughofPoole Front cover pic: Mayor of Poole, Cllr Graham Wilson celebrating a successful http://twitter.com/ 2011 with Poole Pirates captain Davey Watt (top left) Chris Holder and Darcy BoroughofPoole Ward (right) Publication Details We can give you help Purpose: To keep residents of Poole informed about Council news to read or understand Design: The Roman Group Print: Newsquest Ltd this information To Poole households, libraries and Welcome Centre Number Printed: 67,000 Approx cost per copy: 7½p (01202) 633293 Publication date: November 2011 Next edition: March 2012 Text The Council does not vouch for the legitimacy of, or endorse, 18001 01202 633293 any of the advertising in Poole News. Relay To advertise in Poole News, for comments or further copies contact Julie Snow, Editor Tel. 633293 or boroughofpoole. e-mail: [email protected] com/accessibility 3 GGearingearing uupp fforor wwinterinter bboroughofpoole.com/severeweatheroroughofpoole.com/severeweather Last year, Poole experienced some of the Councillor Xena Dion, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for worst winter weather in living memory. Transportation, said: “Last year’s big chill presented As a result, we’ve looked carefully at the a huge challenge to councils up and down the experience gathered during last year’s snow country. Our staff worked tirelessly to make sure and icy conditions to prepare for the winter Poole didn’t grind to a halt. “It’s impossible to predict what this winter will bring months ahead. but if and when snow falls or temperatures fall below We have reviewed our winter maintenance strategy freezing, I’m confi dent that we’ll be able to rise to the and increased our stocks of salt and grit, stored at challenge of keeping Poole on the move!” the council’s Hatchpond depot, to approximately 1,300 tonnes so our fl eet of gritting vehicles will be Further details on our winter maintenance ready to go to work. policy, including maps of Poole’s priority gritting During the winter months, these vehicles are on routes, are available at boroughofpoole.com/ call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to salt and severeweather For information about what you grit the roads so that you can move around safely, can do to prepare for winter, go to www.direct.gov. especially on cold mornings. uk/getreadyforwinter Although we have increased our stocks this year, resources are still limited. It’s not possible to grit all the roads in Poole so our main focus is making sure the main road network is kept clear of snow and ice. These ‘priority routes’ are treated following a forecast of freezing road temperatures. We use special forecasts, including radar and satellite images, to monitor the weather daily and determine when snow and ice is likely to affect our roads. Following requests from residents and councillors, we’ve also reviewed the location of grit bins across the borough. A further 14 bins will be in place this winter, bringing the total number to more than 50. Keep up to date with the latest information by visiting boroughofpoole.com/severeweather What we will do: ɀ Monitor daily weather forecasts and take action to deal with conditions ɀ Have our gritting vehicles on 24-hour standby ɀ Treat up to 120 miles of priority routes in Poole as and when necessary ɀ Work with national agencies and neighbouring councils to share salt and grit if necessary ɀ Provide grit bins at more than 50 locations ɀ Encourage self-help and neighbourly co-operation in dealing with local problems Bin collections – in the event of severe weather disrupting scheduled collections, we will make a decision about sending out crews on a daily basis, please see boroughofpoole.com for regular updates. If roads are deemed to be hazardous then road safety will be the primary consideration. If bin collections are suspended your bin will be collected on your next scheduled collection date. What we won’t do: Due to limited resources, we won’t: ɀ Treat all roads in Poole ɀ Routinely hand-treat pavements and cycle-ways ɀ Treat private roads driveways or paths or supply free grit for private use ɀ Stop you from clearing your own driveway or footpath outside of your property 4 To advertise in Poole News e-mail: [email protected] Gearing up for winter Top tips for safe driving ɀ Check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling. If it’s bad, ask yourself is your journey absolutely necessary? ɀ Driving in severe weather is diffi cult, so allow extra time for your journey. ɀ Before setting off, check your battery/tyres and make sure there is anti-freeze in your radiator and screen wash. ɀ Clear windscreens and windows of ice/snow. ɀ Have enough fuel and a fully charge mobile phone. ɀ For longer journeys, take extra clothing, a blanket, food and drink and a spade – in case you have to clear snow and ice. ɀ Steer, accelerate and brake more gently than normal. ɀ Leave a bigger gap between you and the vehicle in front – it takes longer to stop in wintry conditions. Never assume the roads have been treated. ɀ Give gritters and snow ploughs plenty of room. Overtake them with extreme caution and only when your overtaking lane has been gritted or cleared of snow. ɀ Try to avoid parking where you might block roads for gritters/refuse and recycling collection vehicles. Gritters ready for action To ensure we are better equipped to tackle severe winter weather, two new vehicles with detachable grit containers and snow ploughs have been purchased. Being multi-functional enables them to be used for general highway maintenance work throughout the year, but when winter weather strikes they will become the primary gritting vehicles. Their greater capacity means they can carry twice as much salt/grit as the existing models giving a more reliable and improved service with fewer refi lls needed. WWINTERINTER WWEATHEREATHER CCONTACTSONTACTS • WWINTERINTER WWEATHEREATHER CONTACTSCONTACTS Borough of Poole Met Offi ce In the event of severe weather, the latest information on www.metoffi ce.gov.uk gritting, refuse and recycling collections and all other essential services will be available from boroughofpoole. Radio stations com/severeweather BBC Radio Solent 96.1FM The same information will be available by calling 261700 Wave FM 105.2 (Mon-Fri) Heart Fm 102.3 http://www.facebook.com/YourBoroughofPoole Fire FM 107.6 http://twitter.com/BoroughofPoole NHS visit www.bp.nhs.uk or Poole Housing Partnership Customers of Poole Housing Partnership should call 0800 652 3900 (freephone) NHS Direct 0845 4647 or 0300 200 3900 (national call rate when ringing from mobile) 5 6 To advertise in Poole News e-mail: [email protected] Twin Sails Bridge nears completion Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge was put through its paces as tests were carried out on its two eye-catching lifting leaves. Engineers tested the two 65 tonne ‘sails’ that form the lifting section of the bridge as work on Poole’s second harbour crossing nears completion. When open, the two lifting leaves rise approximately 35 metres above the bridge, creating a dramatic new landmark to grace Poole’s skyline.