The Beast From The East arrives in Telford - everything you need to know

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Hello Subscriber,

Weather forecast - snow expected Thursday & Friday

Snow in Telford


Freezing weather sweeping in from Russia - known as "The Beast from the East" has arrived, bringing with it bitterly cold temperatures. 

The following forecasts are correct as of 1.30pm on the 1st March. Obviously, weather is changeable so do regularly check the forecasts.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and wind for today. 

On Friday the Met Office has issued yellow weather warning for snow and ice

According to the Met Office that means delays and cancellations to public transport are possible, as are delays on some roads. Interruptions to power supplies and mobile phone coverage are also possible.

We are very close to an amber warning issued to parts of the West Midlands south of Telford. So keep an eye on the forecast, be prepared for conditions to worsen and plan ahead.


Gritting update

Gritter

We have been gritting consistently since Tuesday. Our teams are watching the forecasts around the clock and taking action as appropriate.

They gritted the roads at 7am this morning and they will be out again from 2pm. Snow ploughs will then be fitted to our gritters late afternoon as a precaution for tonight, tomorrow and the weekend. 

The snow is forecast to continue until the early hours with accumulations up to 8cm.

Grit will only work when traffic is using the roads so snow will accumulate on roads overnight and lead to potentially tricky conditions in the morning.

Park cars sensibly

Fitting snow ploughs on to our gritters makes negotiating narrower roads more difficult. Narrow roads with parked cars are especially difficult to navigate.

Please consider where you park your cars overnight as this will help our gritting teams to respond.

Where we grit

While our winter heroes do their best to keep the main roads clear, our gritters sadly don't have superpowers, and it will never be possible to cover every road and pavement. Information on where and when we grit is available on our website.

We'd like to thank anyone in the Telford community, including our army of Snow Wardens who has been giving up their time to clear roads, drives and paths.

Tell us about empty grit bins

There are a number of grit bins located across the borough for communities to use. 

Check out our website to find out where grit bins are located and how to request a refill.

snow clearing

Rubbish and recycling collections


Crews are out collecting, but there are a small number of areas currently inaccessible. Crews will keep trying.

However, it may not be possible for your recycling and waste containers to be collected on your normal day. If you are due to have your purple top bin, blue bag or red top bin emptied please leave these containers out in a safe place and we will collect them as soon as possible.

If you were due to have your green bin emptied and it hasn’t been, please take it back in, and put it out on your next scheduled collection date.

Household Recycling Centres at Hortonwood 50 and Halesfield 1 are open as usual.

Further details of our procedures for missed bin collection due to severe weather is available on our website.

Bins ins the snow

School closures

Kids

Individual schools make decisions whether to close or not and to inform parents of their decision. 

Schools also inform us about the decision to close and these details are posted on our school closures page.

If you have any questions about a school closure, please contact your school directly.


Help is available to rough sleepers

The council helps provide funding to a charitable organisation called Maninplace who provide shelter for rough sleepers. 

People can get in touch with Maninplace for help via a 24/7 helpline: 01952 248248. If people know any rough sleepers that they are worried about they can call this number to make Maninplace aware. 

Alternatively, people can use the Streetlink website or app to notify people about rough sleepers.


Stay warm, stay well

Cold weather can be particularly bad for some vulnerable people so its import to look out for your neighbours and relatives at this time.

For example, if you know of 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.

Stay well this winter

Become a snow warden

Snow wardens who are volunteers in the community, will be out and about helping to clear snow and treat footpaths. 

If you’d like to become a snow warden and clear footpaths close to where you live, please visit our website to sign up

Volunteers are allocated some salt, a snow shovel, pair of gloves and a high visibility vest.

Snow wardens