Winter road warriors are ready to show true grit
TEAMS at Rochdale Borough Council are ready to hit the road to tackle ice, sleet, flooding and snow this winter.
The gritting programme started last month and eight gritters are on standby to help keep the borough’s main roads safe.
More than 4,000 tonnes of salt is ready for spreading when temperatures drop, at the council depot on Princess Street.
The council monitors forecasts and road conditions, ready to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week when needed through to the middle of April 2022.
More than 200 miles of roads are salted during one round of complete gritting - over 50 per cent of the borough’s total road network and there are more than 20 drivers on standby.
Staff receive regular weather forecasts with information about road surface temperatures and the likelihood of ice.
This is monitored alongside a computerised ice detection system, cameras and weather stations at Blackstone Edge, Middleton Road and Edenfield Road in Norden which record road and air temperatures as well as showing live roadside images.
The council also uses automatic gritting technology - which spreads exactly the amount of grit required.
Residents are being advised to make sure they are ready to deal with icy and wet conditions, as well as the simple things they can do to keep warm, healthy and safe during winter. This includes making sure vehicles are ready for severe weather, that you have the right equipment to stay safe and know how to drive in extreme weather conditions.
Even when roads and footways are gritted, it is still possible for ice to form so drivers and pedestrians should always take care.
You can help the council’s winter maintenance teams by making sure you leave enough room for gritters to get past when you park up.
Anyone who lives or has a business in an area which is prone to flooding can register with the Environment Agency for advance warnings of any flood danger.
Coun Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for highways said the council was well prepared to tackle the winter weather as always, and will do all they can to minimise disruption: “We really do have fantastic people protecting the borough this winter and I’d like to thank them for all the work they’ll be doing to keep things moving and to keep us safe.
“With unpredictable weather and high rural terrain to contend with they are often working in the toughest of conditions. That said, we still all need to do our bit by taking extra care in icy conditions and allowing extra time for journeys.
“Gritting is carried out to prevent the formation of ice on the road however we can’t guarantee every treated surface will be free of ice so it’s important to make sure you drive to the road conditions and please slow down.
“If conditions are poor, and journeys are not essential, consider waiting until the weather gets better.”
Coun Meredith added that it’s also important to look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours: “There’s also the wider implications of bad weather in local communities and we actively encourage residents to be good neighbours looking out for more vulnerable residents.
“An offer to help could make all the difference to someone who cannot get out on their own, so please do consider how you can help with things like essential shopping or picking up prescriptions.” When temperatures drop and snow or ice is forecast, gritting teams carry out precautionary gritting and snow clearing, with ploughs fitted to all vehicles when necessary.
The council also has more than 500 salt bins around the borough in areas where particularly difficult conditions exist.
Weather updates, information on gritting, salt bin locations, flooding, service changes, winter facts and answers to popular questions are available at www. rochdale.gov.uk/gritting
You can also get live daily updates on Twitter, search #Rochdalegrit To find out more about getting ready for winter, how to keep healthy, protect your home, travel advice as well as financial support to help you, visit www.rochdale. gov.uk/snow
PLANNING applications determined with Rochdale Borough Council up to the week ending November 5 include:
● AN application for prior approval for the demolition of a singlestorey outbuilding with a total volume of 61 cubic metres, at 13 Broadhalgh Avenue, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for the change of use from retail to residential, at 336 Bury Road, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● A RESUBMITTED application for a twostorey side extension and single-storey rear extension, following the demolition of the existing conservatory, at 21 Pleasant Street, Rochdale, has been refused. ● A RESUBMITTED application for a minor material amendment to a previously application, to allow for increased roof pitch, the insertion of two further rooflights to the front, and alteration to the dormer position, at 47 Crescent Road, Rochdale, has been refused. ● AN application for prior approval for the demolition and site clearance of the former ER Williams Premier Works, and adjoining MOT garage, at Premier Works, Toad Lane, Spotland, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for front and rear dormer extensions, at 97 South Street, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● A RESUBMITTED application for a twostorey rear extension, with additional single-storey rear extension, including alterations to the side elevation window, after demolition of rear extension, at 5 Mcnaught Street, Rochdale, has been refused. ● AN application for a part-retrospective single-storey rear extension, front dormer extension following the demolition of the existing front and rear dormer extensions, and rebuild of the existing outbuilding, including alterations to the fenestration, at 50 Woodlands Road, Milnrow, has been granted subject to conditions. ● THE submission of details to comply with conditions involving bat survey, invasive plant species, and construction environment management plan, in relation to a previously submitted application at The Soccer Village, Wildhouse Lane, Milnrow, has been completed. ● THE submission of details to comply with conditions involving landscaping scheme, and biodiversity enhancement plan, in relation to a previously submitted application at Higher Elbut Farm, Birtle Riding Centre, Elbut Lane, Heywood, has been completed. ● AN application for a first floor side extension, including extension to the front dormer and pitched roof over the existing front dormer, and rear dormer, following the demolition of the existing rear dormer, at 14 Bankfield Lane, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for the varying of conditions in relation to a previously submitted application, to allow the development to be undertaken in accordance with a newly submitted great crested newt survey and mitigation strategy, at land off Great Howarth, Wardle, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for internal alterations to the first floor, comprising of the formation of offices, meeting rooms, and kitchen area, with stud partition walls and suspended ceiling, and alterations to access, circulation area, and toilets, at Spotland Bridge Mill, Mellor Street, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for a two-storey side extension, following the demolition of single-storey extension, at 87A Mellor Street, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for a two-storey side extension, following the demolition of single-storey extension, at 4 Gaskell Close, Littleborough, has been granted subject to conditions. ● AN application for a certificate of lawfulness for a single-storey rear extension, at 52 Joseph Lister Drive, Wardle, Rochdale, has been granted.