Updated: Snow Falls Across Surrey – Minor Roads Treacherous

Published on: 1 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 5 Feb, 2019

Most of Guildford’s services are operating as usual today, despite the overnight snow flurries. The borough council has emphasised safety of residents and staff as priorities, encouraging friends and neighbours to ensure the most vulnerable have all they need and checking on those without internet access.

Updates on services and conditions can be found on www.guildford.gov.uk , twitter and Facebook at @GuildfordBC.

The car that crashed into railings in Onslow village. Photo: Onslow Village Residents Association.

Light snow covered parts of Surrey and the gritting lorries were at work although a car crashed into railings at the Crossways in Onslow Village this morning. No injuries were reported.

One local resident said the last time this happened, in April 2015, replacement of the railings took till mid-2018. He said another resident used to grit the Crossways on icy mornings but the grit bin has been removed.

County Hall had stockpiled 12,500 tonnes of salt for the 37 gritters, and  farmers with spreaders and ploughs are ready to help if the snow gets heavy enough.

The latest traffic and travel updates are available on Twitter via @SurreyTravel, and the council’s website has information about buses and school transport.

Cllr Matt Furniss

Matt Furniss, the county council cabinet member for highways, said: “We’re ready to deal with severe weather but if residents can support us by keeping an eye out for vulnerable neighbours or clearing snow near their homes it will help make things much better for the county as a whole.”

In Guildford, the council said they are operating as usual today and care teams are contacting customers directly each day to let them know what is happening and to make sure they are OK. Some pavements are being gritted.

Community meals will operate as usual today but drivers must decide when access is safe. Community transport will operate as usual but, again, drivers decide on safety.

Council staff are working with community groups to look after the homeless and rough sleepers and make sure everyone who wants a place has somewhere safe and warm to sleep. There is more information on our website www.guildford.gov.uk/roughsleeping

Anyone with concerns about someone sleeping rough or who appears to be homeless should email GuildfordHost@riverside.org.uk or call 01483 302495. There is also a national rough sleeper Streetlink website or call 0300 500 901.

GBC crews are collecting food waste and recycling today. There may be disruption to collections, depending on the conditions.

As far as parking is concerned, the council said keeping the town centre open for business was a priority. A near-normal service is operating, each car park is being assessed and any deemed unsafe will be closed. The park and ride services are operating as usual.

The county council’s website, www.surreycc.gov.uk has more information on schools, highways and gritting.

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