Highways staff show true grit during adverse holiday period
SNOW and ice over Christmas and the start of 2021 have stretched council highways and waste collection services.
Over the holiday period Cheshire East Council’s highways team gritted and cleared through several nights with high routes near Macclesfield among those to receive particular attention.
There were more than 300 gritting runs, treating 19,000 kms of highway with 2,000 tonnes of salt.
Special attention was directed at Covid testing and vaccination sites, health centres and hospitals.
Current salt stocks are said to sufficient, but residents are urged to make only essential journeys during any further adverse weather.
In addition to hazardous conditions larger amounts of rubbish over Christmas and New Year have hit bin collections and 2021 started with a backlog.
The council has put on additional rounds to clear this.
Councillor Laura Crane, cabinet member for highways and waste, is appealing to residents to help protect council staff by ensuring their bins are hygienically wiped and any Covid-related waste is double-bagged.
She said: “While many of us were still relaxing at home over the Christmas and New Year break, our highways teams and household waste crews were working hard to maintain our customary high level of service and keep our roads safe.
“I want to extend my thanks to our highways team and Ansa crews for their hard work and commitment. But we are told this cold snap could continue and even get worse, so the message is to be prepared for deteriorating weather conditions and stay at home where possible.
“I also want to urge our residents to help protect our staff at this very difficult time by keeping all waste bins as clean as possible to minimise the risk of infection through handling.
“While our staff have protective gloves, we would like our residents to play their part by helping to minimise any risk of infection.”