It's snowing in Northamptonshire

Thank you for signing this petition. We all care that roads are gritted, and we can travel around the county safely. Winter is not over and there is some harsh weather coming. We agree that our council needs to take action.

I have learnt a few pieces of information in the last week:

Under the Highways Act 1980 (England and Wales): Section 41(1A) – "a highway authority is under a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice."

A County Council finance scrutiny committee (October 2018) recorded that the gritting was high risk and recommend that the it was withdrawn from the budget. The cuts were made regardless.

Signatories have highlighted accidents and concerns.

On Monday 28th January 2019 I spoke with Matthew Golby, the following statement was received after the conversation, I am advised Matthew is happy for me to share:

• Whenever the council introduces a new policy we closely monitor the impact the decision has had and it is no different in this instance.
• Keeping traffic moving safely in wintery weather is a priority and I’m working with Highways to gain a greater understanding of how the policy is working.
• Before 2008, we gritted about 34 per cent of the network and in 2008, this was increased to 45 per cent.
• The current gritting levels are in line with those prior to the change before 2008 which is comparable to other local authorities.
• All of the routes removed from the precautionary, priority one network were added to what is known as the adverse, priority two network – the roads which are only treated in extreme adverse weather.
• These roads are pre-treated in advance of high confidence of forecasted snow or when the forecast temperatures are not to rise above zero for 48 hours.

The above statement was also provided to the Chronicle and Echo. In my opinion, the above statement does not address the problem, offer action or suggest any concern for risk of human life, which has been communicated accordingly.  There is a need to address present concerns, not state what others did or didn’t do historically. 2008 has gone, we are a different county with more cars, people and roads, we should have a better service not regress.

Matthew Golby has emailed me this evening (29th January 2019) with the following information, that he is happy I share with petition signatories:

An amber weather warning has been received forecasting moderate snow fall across the county from Tuesday onwards. Up to 1.7 cm is forecasted between 17.00pm on Tuesday the 29th January and 2:00am 30th January. A further 3-8 cm is forecasted between 12:00pm Thursday 31st January and 6:00am Friday 1st February.

The severe weather desk has been mobilised at 06.00am this morning and will manage the severe weather until further notice.

Completed

§  Severe weather action – Monday 28th January:

§  (15g/m2 ) for Precautionary 1 gritting routes – 18h00.

§  Severe Weather action – Tuesday 29th January

§  (15g/m2 ) for Precautionary 1 gritting routes – 03h00

In Progress

§  Severe Weather action – Tuesday 29th January

§  P1 footways, hand spreading – 09h00

§  (15g/m2) for Adverse weather gritting routes (P2) – 09h00

Planned

§  Severe weather action – Tuesday 29th January:

§  (15g/m2) for Precautionary 1 gritting routes – 16.00

Severe weather action – Wednesday 30th January:

§  (15g/m2 ) for Precautionary 1 gritting routes – 00h01

§  (15g/m2) for Adverse weather gritting routes (P2)– 09h00

§  P1 footways, hand spreading – 09h00

It is good news to see that some action is being taken. I would also like to see an additional commitment from Matthew Golby that any request from the police for gritting is met accordingly. There also needs to be robust plans in place not just for the coming days but, weeks, months and forthcoming winters. This activity by the council is a start.

Please do continue to sign and share this petition, it has traction and we are driving action

All the best

Joanne