Praise for workers who kept West Lothian going
The Beast from the East descended on West Lothian last Wednesday, bringing with it snow and widespread disruption to schools and services.
Up to 20 centimetres of snow fell in the area during the storm with a Red weather warning asking residents to avoid all travel from Wednesday afternoon (February 28) through to Thursday morning.
A total of 4000 tonnes of grit was spread over the course of the storm, with 10,000 tonnes normally enough to cover an entire four-month winter period.
Tom Conn, executive councillor for the environment, said:“This has been some of the worst weather in living memory to affect West Lothian and it has taken huge efforts by our hard working council staff and our contractors to keep West Lothian moving.
“I’m sure local residents would join me in paying tribute to all the workers who braved the conditions to try and clear the roads and paths for us all.”
All secondary schools, primary schools and nurseries closed on the Wednesday for three days with some not re-opening again until Tuesday (March 6).
Elaine Cook , West Lothian Council’s depute chief executive, said:“Taking the decision to close schools is never an easy one to make. However the safety of our pupils is always of paramount importance above all else.”
David Dodds, executive councillor for education, said: “Thanks has to be given to the parents of pupils for their patience and to all staff and partners for all their hard work over this challenging period.”
A Severe Weather Volunteer Service was also set up to allow council staff help support people who needed extra assistance in the severe weather, with around 80 staff volunteering their services.
Jane Kellock, head of social policy, said:“Staff throughout the social care sector went to considerable lengths to ensure that people most in need received a service during the period of severe weather, and everyone in West Lothian is extremely grateful for their support and commitment.
“Our volunteers also performed heroically with one volunteer in particular who walked nearly two hours on foot to deliver shopping and said that they were only happy to help.”
NHS Lothian also praised their staff who battled the conditions, getting to and from work, in order to look after the sick and vulnerable.
Jim Crombie, deputy chief executive, said:“The extreme weather has pressed our services and our heroic staff to the limit and I am so proud of the way they have responded and risen to every challenge.
“Our staff have been working in some of the most difficult circumstances to ensure they can deliver safe, quality care and they have gone above and beyond at every turn – in some cases even just to get to work with people staying overnight in hospitals or walking for hours in knee-deep snow.”