Severe Weather Expected For Rhondda Cynon Taff
February 9, 2009
Another night of severe weather is expected across the county borough with snow showers and widespread ice due to sub-zero temperatures.
Heavy rain is expected later today, turning to snow on high grounds. Further snow showers are expected across the county borough and strong winds will cause drifting and blizzards in some areas.
Overnight temperatures are likely to drop below freezing which is likely to lead to widespread ice throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. The severe icy conditions could last for the remainder of this week and could make traveling treacherous in some areas.
Although the Council workforce will continue to work overnight to keep the main road network as clear as possible, they are still faced with the alarming lack of salt to treat the routes.
Therefore the Home to School Transport provision for Tuesday (February 10) has been withdrawn due to major concerns over the safety of children. Parents or carers are reminded that they must contact their individual school as the headmaster and governing body will decide whether or not to close the school on the day. Once confirmed, notification of the closures will appear on the Council website.
Negotiations are continuing to try and locate additional stock, but Rhondda Cynon Taf’s shortage of salt has reached a critical level and the Council cannot predict if any is forthcoming. A small order was issued by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency for the A470 only.
The Council is continuing its negotiations with the Welsh Assembly Government to impress upon it the severity of the situation.
Around 700 tonnes of salt remain in stock, which could last a further two days as the workforce continues to conserve as much of it as possible without causing hazards on the main network of roads.
Side-roads will not be treated and grit bins will not be replenished during this time. As always routes for emergency services will remain clear as a priority.
The three mountain roads of Y Bwlch, Rhigos and Maerdy will remain closed this evening, as they are not being treated with salt. The situation will be re-assessed on Tuesday morning and they may be opened, but motorists need to take extreme caution if they decide to use any of these routes and will do so at their own risk.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Transporation and Customer Care Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “We are facing another very difficult couple of days ahead due to the severe weather front and the impact this
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