SEVERE WEATHER AND GENERAL EMERGENCY PLAN

PARISH OF WARDINGTON

 

Introduction

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) have recommended that parishes formulate a severe weather/emergency plan which is based upon looking after the elderly, sick and infirm who may need to get to a doctor/ surgery/ hospital in an emergency.

Wardington Parish Council have formulated a simple, basic plan that would be readily available for ALL parishioners in a genuine case for the need of practical assistance – and not just for severe winter weather. 

SEVERE WEATHER PLAN

In the event of the roads being closed by snow, volunteers 4x4s are available for transportation of any ill parishioner to the nearest Rendezvous point

[R.V] for an Ambulance.

The RV points are:

Junction from Wardington onto A361 Southbound.

Junction from Wardington onto A361 Northbound [Taylors cottage].

Junction of Edgcote Lane onto A361.

In all cases, the RV point MUST be described to the emergency service dispatcher.

Please refer to Appendix A for those offering their services and contact details.

Anyone in need of assistance should call the volunteer CLOSEST to them.

There is bound to be an occasion when not all volunteers are available so just keep ringing the numbers until you get the help you need.

 

ROAD CLEARANCE

OCC Highways try and keep the main roads clear but will not salt bus routes on non-priority roads.  Despite requests this has usually meant that the bus route through Wardington has not been cleared or salted.

Please refer to Appendix A for volunteers who have kindly agreed to provide services, in an attempt to keep the snow down on the main roads out of the village, on a re-imbursement basis.   

SALT BINS

The village salt bins are provided solely for use on public roads and pavements and NOT for private drive ways.  This Winter we have been notified by OCC highways that they will be filled on a once only basis and will not be refilled. 

Triage Service

For Triage service in the event of a medical emergency and subject to availability, see Appendix A.

For ALL Parishioners OVER 60 or for those who are housebound through illness, regardless of age, a FOOD AND PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION SERVICE is available, see Appendix A.

 

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO HAVE HANDY IN THE HOUSE

FIRST AID KIT

TORCH

BATTERY OP OR WIND UP RADIO

ENOUGH MEDICATION

SHOVEL/SPADE

THERMOS FLASK

CANDLES

MATCHES

ANALOGUE TELEPHONE in the event of a Power failure.

FOOD AND DRINK that does not require electricity to prepare it.

CHECKING ON ELDERLY/ INFIRM/ ILL/ THOSE LIVING ALONE 

We are such a strong and good natured community – PLEASE do remember to check those friends and neighbours who fit into the above categories during severe weather.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and please keep it handy – let us hope that we never have to execute it!

 

SNOW GUIDE – BASED ON ADVICE FROM OCC. 

THE LAW

There is no law preventing you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property, or public spaces.

It is very unlikely that you would face any legal liability, as long as you are careful, and use common sense to ensure that you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before. People using areas affected by snow and ice also have a responsibility to be careful themselves.

 

What you can do to help clear snow and ice from pavements and public spaces

Practical advice from highway engineers is given below. This is not a comprehensive list.

  • Start early: it is much easier to remove fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it.
  • Do not use hot water. This will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury.
  • Be a good neighbour: some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths leading to their property or indeed the footway fronting their property. Snowfall and cold weather pose particular difficulties for them gaining access to and from their property or walking to the shops.
  • If shovelling snow, consider where you are going to put it, so that it does not block people’s paths, or block drainage channels. This could shift the problem elsewhere.
  • Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then you can shovel the snow from the centre to the sides.
  • Spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help to prevent any ice forming. Table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it. A few grams (a tablespoon) for each square metre you clear should work. The salt found in salting bins will be needed for keeping roads clear.
  • Particular care and attention should be given to steps and steep gradients to ensure snow and ice is removed. You might need to apply additional salt to these areas.
  • Use the sun to your advantage. Removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight.
  • If there is no salt available, then a little sand or ash is a reasonable substitute. It will not have the same de-icing properties as salt but should offer grip under foot.

Wardington Parish Council (Oct 2016)


Appendix A – Contact names and telephone numbers 

SEVERE WEATHER AND GENERAL EMERGENCY PLAN

PARISH OF WARDINGTON

 

AREAS OF 4X4 COVER AND DRIVERS

Ken Atack                  Williamscot Area                                                      758661   

Amanda Thompson Edgcote Lane To 1st Turn [Taylors Cottage]              750843

Andrew Steven        Old Pool Area to End of Thorpe Road [N]                  750765

Caroline Wild                        As above                                                       758661

Rex Anson                As above                                                                   758251

Arthur Griffin             As above                                                                   758002

Robert Harwood       Old Pool Area to Corner Mount & to A361                758808/750202

Malcolm Patterson   As above                                                                   750014

 

Anyone in need of assistance should call the volunteer CLOSEST to them.

There is bound to be an occasion when not all volunteers are available so just keep ringing the numbers until you get the help you need. 

ROAD CLEARANCE 

Mr George Page                               758122

Mr Steven Breakspear                      750161

 

Triage Service

Mr John Rourke [Taylor’s Cottage] has very kindly offered a Triage service as a qualified person in the event of a medical emergency subject to his availability.

Robert Harwood wishes to offer a FOOD AND PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION SERVICE for ALL Parishioners OVER 60 or for those who are housebound to illness regardless of age.  Tel 758808 / 07800 583491 

Note: 

If any other parishioner would like to offer their services, or any of the above volunteers can no longer fulfil the commitment, or details need amending,  or  if there are any questions relating to the help and support available, please contact the Parish Clerk:- 

Bob Jarrett                                         758084

 

Wardington Parish Council (Oct 2016)