Saturday’s winter weather update from Flintshire County Council

Flintshire County Council say services which have been disrupted by the snow and freezing weather are expected to get back to normal over the next few days.

An active ‘Yellow – Be Aware’ weather alert for ice is in place for Flintshire on Saturday through to Sunday, the Met Office says:

Icy stretches will continue to be likely on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths during the rest of Saturday onwards into Sunday.

As a result, driving conditions may become difficult and there is an increased chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

The council is continuing to monitor the weather but we should see temperatures starting to rise next week.

‘It is planned that Council services such as Flintshire Connects centres, homecare services, day and work opportunities services will continue to operate as normal next week. ‘ A council statement says.

Highways

The council says gritting crews are continuing to treat all major routes throughout the day and overnight.

Operations will be maintained during the weekend and area coordinators will continue to prioritise minor roads.

A council spokesperson said:

“We will continue to work on the minor roads listed below that have been closed due to drifting snow and intend to get them open as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our Twitter account @flintshirecc (see below) for updates as and when they become available.”

Gors Lane, Ysciefiog

Cwm Road, Trelawnyd

Buxton Lane, Pentre Halkyn

Brynsion Hill – Afonwen

Black Mountain – Treuddyn / Nercwys

Waste and Recycling

“Despite the difficult conditions the Council’s waste and recycling crews are out today collecting where it is safe to do so.

Whilst every effort is being made to collect everything today there will inevitably be some areas that we are unable to access.  Residents are advised to leave their waste and recycling out for collection as crews will be working over the weekend to try and catch up on any missed collections.   

However, if waste is not collected by Sunday evening then residents are advised to put out their bins out for collection on their normal collection day next week. 

Garden waste (brown bins) collections have been cancelled for today (Saturday) and Sunday. (3rd – 4th March)

We hope to resume normal service from Monday (5th) subject to improvements in the weather.”

Schools and school transport

A total of 84 schools in Flintshire closed on Friday due to the weather conditions It is planned that with improving weather schools across the County will be open as usual on Monday normal school transport services will resume.

Public Transport

Disruption to some public transport routes in rural areas and on routes that operate on higher ground has been experienced today.

Passengers are advised either to check individual operators’ websites or the Council’s Twitter account @flintshirecc  

Very Latest Updates from Flintshire County Council.

Tweets by FlintshireCC

Leisure and Sport Centres and Libraries

To find out about any potential disruption to Leisure and Library services over the weekend please follow @Aura_Wales or visit www.aura.wales

Theatr Clwyd

All shows and performances for today (3rd March) are currently going ahead as planned.  If there are any changes in the schedule, Theatre Clwyd will let you know.  Please follow @ClwydTweets or visit www.theatrclwyd.com

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board statement

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have also issued a statement this afternoon in response to claims that some health boards in Wales had been charging staff that had to stay overnight.

This information had been passed to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething who followed up on the claims, and has prompted many health boards across Wales to state their policy.

Health boards are confirming they share @WelshGovernment view that no staff should be charged to stay overnight at hospitals in extreme weather. Investigations are continuing, but I’m assured any staff that have accrued costs will be reimbursed.

— Vaughan Gething (@wgcs_health) March 3, 2018

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have said:

We are not aware of any colleagues that have needed to stay overnight. Plans were put in place to cover shifts in areas where weather was impacting on travel for example transporting staff to work in 4×4 vehicles. If colleagues did need to stay in Health Board accommodation, they would not be expected to pay for it.