A Few Piles Of Salt Can Make A Big Difference « onlineFOCUS

January 5th, 2010 |

A Few Piles Of Salt Can Make A Big Difference

We hear from Councillor Keith Hudson (the chief councillor for this stuff) that there are now piles of salt located conveniently in our main shopping areas. Anyone may use this salt within the shopping area for the benefit of residents and shoppers alike. These piles will be replenished from Rochford District Council’s own stocks as necessary.

Rochford has already received a request from Essex County Counci for assistance ahead of another predicted major snow event. This is unlike last time when the District weren’t asked in time….

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John Mason:
January 5th, 2010 at 09:01

I think that Keith Hudson has done a great job for residents in securing their safety in conditions which are set to be down right dangerous if the problems before Christmas were to have been repeated.

When the winter is over, though, there are questions to be asked as to why Essex County Council has the responsibility for this and cannot,apparently, fulfil its obligations.

Is it a budget issue or a lack of resources in ts contractors?

Although I don’t want to count the cost right now, wishing to see safety fulfilled, I am sure that Keith is keeping count of the spend, and although it may not be high or significant in the overall RDC Budget, I do hope that we have, as residents, have not already paid ECC and this spend is extra !!

The weather forecast for the next few days looks dire, keep yourselves and your families safe and well.

Sean:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:01

I have just noticed that on their web site home page, Rayleigh Town Council claim that they are responsible for salt bins?!?

On second thoughts, are they responsible for the bins with the County Council maintaining responsibility for providing the salt?

Last time round Rayleigh High Street was badly neglected by whoever is responsible for ensuring that its pavements remain safe. If the town council is only responsible for PROVIDING the salt bins, do they bear some of the culpability for the debacle of the last snow and icing of the High Street?

Downhall Resident:
January 6th, 2010 at 01:01

Have just driven from Rawreth Lane to Rayleigh Weir and all the main roads are completely clear. The pavements were also completely clear and a council worker was actually clearing them along the stretch by Boots! so much better than last time.Keep up the good work RDC.

admin:
January 6th, 2010 at 05:01

Sean, that’s a good question ,and your second guess is correct. Rayleigh Town Council has paid for some bins, and they’ve been installed in certain locations where the County Council have agreed to have them. (For example, in Hambro Parade). However it’s the County Council who supply the salt.

The culpability for the skating rink last time around lies at County level - it’s the County Council’s contractors who should have done the work. This time round the District Council has stepped forward and is trying to do what’s necessary.

Mike Nobes:
January 6th, 2010 at 08:01

It seems that RDC have stepped up to the plate! Well done RDC and to the employees that have to go out and clear the snow and ice.

John Mason:
January 7th, 2010 at 12:01

Updates from Keith Hudson and RDC Officers on 7 January

RDC has agreement from ECC that RDC have been allotted 20 tonnes of salt/sand mix. Arrangements made for SITA to collect this later today. This will be available for gritting tomorrow 8/1. In the meantime SITA will be using the remaining stock in the pedestrian routes through our car parks and then some areas in the town centres.

RDC is gritting/salting as follows:

South Area Footways for priority local control but not Castle Point and Basildon

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1063718/South%20Area%20Footways%20for%20priority%20local%20control%20%281%29.pdf

Priority 3 Routes Rochford, Secondary Roads

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1063718/Priority%203%20Routes%20%20Rochford.pd

Last File name lost the “f” !!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1063718/Priority%203%20Routes%20%20Rochford.pdf

John Mason:
January 7th, 2010 at 05:01

This should be also of interest to all readers of this site

Please find below a copy of a communication that has gone from Cllr Norman Hume to all District & Borough Leaders.

I would like to update you on the current situation regarding winter gritting.

As you are aware, weather conditions at present are severe and the current spell of cold weather seems likely to continue for some time. Due to the severity and long duration of the current conditions the Government has announced that steps are being taken to control the national distribution of salt. It may, therefore, be necessary for us to implement a reduced precautionary network.

Please be assured that I take the decision to move to this revised route extremely seriously. I expect the reduced network to be in operation over the weekend period starting Friday evening. I am, however, keen to ensure that the full network is gritted as per normal in advance of Monday morning traffic should it be required. The public will be informed of this decision this afternoon via the below press release and I will forward you details of the website address where the revised route can be viewed as soon as it becomes available.

I am aware that many of you have been using your staff to distribute salt provided by ECC to areas of high footfall such as main shopping areas and rail and bus stations etc and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance at this critical time
Sincerely,

Norman Hume

Councillor Norman Hume
Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation
Essex County Council | telephone: 01245 434178 | extension: 40178

Robin:
January 7th, 2010 at 07:01

From Rochford District Council website:

All bin collections have been suspended throughout the District due to dangerous icy conditions on all side roads and pavements.

Looks like the recycling collection will be cancelled again for us, that’ll be 4 weeks without a collection.

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Mike Nobes: That would be a refreshing change, Brian
Brian Guyett: Well done Rawreth Parish Council for supporting John. The DPD consultation is severly flawed with 460...
Brian Guyett: [edited] Hilton, I have made a formal complaint which has been rejected by Shaun Scrutton and, the appeal,...
Hilton Brown: Brian As I said earlier, I am in no position to enter into a debate on this subject but I do not believe...
ST1: Perhaps they could replace the apes that appear to just throw our wheely bins back in the general direction of our...
Mike Nobes: I would also be happy to see what the RSPCA have to say about the circus, If they have an opinion of course?...
Mike Nobes: Chris, Thanks for the info received from the Council regarding the restrictions or rather the lack of...
Brian Guyett: Hilton, sorry, I should add that you can easily confirm the above by looking at any of the responses poasted...
Brian Guyett: Hilton, Thank you for your comments. RDC have admitted posting 460 responses to DPD section E10 when they...
Hilton Brown: I do not agree with your total figures Chris, perhaps you used only the seats in this constituency, but the...
admin: A really good day. Congrats to everyone involved!
admin: We understand there will be the chance to do some litter picking as well- and that can be quite an enjoyable...
Mark Hooper: Is it me or do the Asda delivery lorries seem to be getting bigger? If bigger lorries means fewer deliveries,...
Brian Guyett: Hilton, I was one of the few who actually took advance of the opportunity you mention and agree its a shame...
Mike Nobes: And there were plenty of voters in Central Ward this year that were far from happy, not enough I grant you but...
Chris Black: Mmmm Hilton, if you look at the elections this year, if I have done my sums correctly, in the district...

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January 5th, 2010 |