Beast from the East – severe weather continues to affect south-east

Weather warnings remain in place in the south east with more snow anticipated.

Gritting crews have been working throughout the night since Sunday to cover Medway’s main routes and the council’s designated winter service staff are working around the clock to monitor and minimise disruption caused by the severe weather.

Staff are continuing to refill all of the 455 residential salt bins across Medway. Residents are asked to use the salt from the yellow residential bins for public footpaths and roads to benefit all of the community, and not on their own property.

Please note: although salt does not prevent snow from settling, it can help prevent ice from forming.

Winter advice

News and Information

Update on council services - Wednesday

Below is the list of services which have been affected by the severe weather – correct as of 9am on Wednesday.

Please follow @Medway_Council on Twitter and @MedwayCouncilUpdates (Medway Council – service updates and information) on Facebook for the latest updates.

• Refuse, recycling and organic waste collections have been suspended for safety reasons. Residents are asked to take their waste in overnight to keep the footpaths clear.
• Kingsley House, in Balmoral Road, Gillingham is open. Rough sleepers and vulnerable residents are being prioritised.
• Household Waste & Recycling Centres are closed.
• Hoo sports centres is currently closed.
• Medway Park, Splashes and Strood is open until 1pm. Swimming lessons have been cancelled. For updates on disruption at sports centres, please follow @MedwaySport on Twitter or @MedwaySportOfficial on Facebook
• Arriva bus services are currently not operating.
• Rochester Castle is closed – but providing picturesque, wintry photos!
• Gillingham and Rochester Adult Education centres are closed.
• Archives Centre is closed.
• Visitor Information Centre is closed.
• Gillingham, Wigmore, Twydall and Rochester Libraries are open.
• Chatham, Strood, Luton, Walderslade Hook Meadow Libraries are closed.
• Mobile libraries are not operating today.
• ASD Coach services are not operating.
• Some schools remain closed. For the latest information on school closures during severe weather conditions, please check school and academy websites. Most closures are also listed on Kent County Council's school closures page (http://www.kentclosures.co.uk/) and on local radio stations.

Supporting our most vulnerable during periods of severe weather

As heavy snowfall settled across Medway on Tuesday, council staff worked hard to keep essential services running.

Kingsley House in Balmoral Road, Gillingham, was open as normal on Tuesday morning and staff assisted customers until 4pm. The housing team then implemented its out of hours service to assist people in need of urgent housing help. The severe weather emergency protocol remains in place in Medway, with rough sleepers being encouraged to take up the emergency accommodation being offered. Council staff are continuing to work with colleagues from partner agencies in the Homelessness Forum to tell as many rough sleepers as possible that accommodation is available to them.

Council staff prioritised help for the most vulnerable residents across Medway on Tuesday, including those who live in sheltered housing schemes. In addition, the council’s telephone helplines were open as usual, with staff helping the public on a range of matters and council services.

Due to the heavy snowfall, refuse, recycling and organic waste collections were suspended for safety reasons. However, staff opened Capstone and Cuxton household waste and recycling centres for a few hours on Tuesday morning to give residents an opportunity to dispose of any waste and recycling.

Leisure centres, libraries, community hubs, the archives centre and the visitor information centre were opened as usual to the public on Tuesday morning, and as conditions worsened they were closed at midday.

Stay well this winter

Medway Council is reminding residents of the steps they can take to stay well this winter: 

• Make sure that you stay warm. If going outside make sure you dress appropriately. If indoors, make sure that you keep your heating to the right temperature; heating your home to at least 18°C in winter poses minimal risk to your health when you are wearing suitable clothing.

• If there is anyone you know who might be at special risk, for example, an older person living on their own, make sure they know what to do to stay warm and are well stocked with food and medications.

• If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.