Residents can collect free grit this Saturday

Residents have another opportunity this weekend to collect free bags of grit from the council as part of a town hall initiative to combat snow and ice this winter.

The council is offering residents up to 50 kilos of grit free of charge to help them clear frozen footpaths this winter. The grit comes in 25 kilo bags.

People interested in obtaining some should go to the council’s depot in Dormay Street between 10am and noon on Saturday, December 6. They will need to bring some proof of address to show they live in the borough. For those using sat navs the depot’s postcode is SW18 1EY.

In recent days residents have helped themselves to more than four tonnes of free grit. Further quantities have been given to around 200 local neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.

The council is also filling up grit bins across the borough so that local people have an immediate stock close at hand. There are now 55 of these bins located around the borough, situated mainly in hilly areas where icy pavements can be particularly treacherous.

When snow has fallen, the priority is to keep the borough’s road network clear of ice so that the emergency services and public transport can keep running. Particular attention is always paid to entrances at tube and rail stations, hospitals, day centres, schools, care homes, clinics and nurseries.

Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said:
“If it snows this winter we will be working flat out to clear snow and ice from the borough’s roads and pavements, but with nearly 230 miles of road surface and 450 miles of pavements in our borough it is a pretty mammoth task that always takes time to complete.

“Many people have told us they would be willing to help clear paths in their neighbourhoods if they have the tools to do the job. We are making sure they do. By working together like this we will aim to clear away the snow and ice much more quickly. Local people also have far greater knowledge of their own streets and neighbourhoods and are much better placed to clear ice from the front garden paths of vulnerable people living close by.”

The gritting of red routes in the borough and their adjoining pavements is managed by Transport for London - these include the A3, A24, A205, A214, A306, A3205 and A3220.

December 4, 2014