Richard Baum

After Santa Claus’s visit to Prestwich yesterday, Frosty the Snowman has come to town today. This means that Prestwich bins may not be collected today, and that lots of schools have been closed.

The following statement has been released by the Council:

“Bury Council’s Environment and Development Services department gritted the roads between7pm and 11pm last night. Council officers assessed the conditions at 11pm last night and there were no problems reported. Bury Council has signed up to receive detailed meteorological information from the Met Office. This system allows us to receive up to date and detailed weather forecasts and this has helped us respond to the current weather problems.

Staff were called out at 3pm to begin gritting during the night. Heavy and sudden snow fell between 5pm and 6pm The build up of traffic then began to affect the gritting operation and conditions led to significant congestion on most roads. Motorists are advised to take care when driving due to the conditions. The gritters continue to work across the borough, but in some cases their progress has been hampered by rush hour traffic. The council has also deployed hand gritting teams to areas known to be problematic.

The refuse collection service has been stood down as we do not wish to add more traffic to the roads in their current state as well as risk them getting stuck too. The bin collections for today are suspended this morning but may resume later today, we will catch up with collections as soon as possible, residents have been advised to leave their bins out for collection.

The council are intending deliver all meals on wheels services today, however people are being advised to expect some delays to the service. We have been able to redeploy some drivers onto this task as the Adult Day Care Service has not been able to operate today.

Bury Council can also confirm that the following schools are closed today:
Guardian Angels,
Christ Church Walshaw,
All Saints,
St. Paul’s,
Chesham
Heaton Park,
Chantlers,
Our Lady of Lourdes,
St.Josephs Ramsbottom,
Holcombe Brook,
St.Andrew’s Ramsbottom,
Cams Lane,
St.Peter’s,
St.Maries,
Woodhey,
Tottington High,
St.Gabriels,
Broad Oak,
Bury Church.
Hollymount,
East Ward,
Radcliffe Riverside East & West campus.”

I suspect that they mean “am” and not “pm,” but that’s what the statement says… So, Santa Claus one day, Jack Frost and Frosty the Snowman the next… The Council are unwilling to comment on rumours that the Easter Bunny will be making an appearence in Radcliffe town centre tomorrow, or that Elvis has been seen swinging his hips in Ramsbottom.

Rick