Available for collection from Council Depot
Wandsworth residents can pick up free bags of grit and rock salt this Saturday and the following one as part of a town hall initiative to combat snow and ice this winter.
Although the weather has been unusually mild to date, colder temperatures are expected to strike soon and so the council is offering borough residents up to 50 kilos of grit free of charge to help them clear frozen footpaths this winter.
The grit comes in 25 kilo sacks – just slightly heavier than the normal luggage allowance permitted by airlines.
Last year the council gave away more than 20 tonnes to residents, community groups and neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.
Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said:
“This initiative means that local people can clear their own front garden paths and those of elderly or disabled neighbours who might otherwise struggle to get out in an icy snap. Many people have told us they would be willing to help clear paths in their neighbourhoods if they have the tools to do the job. By making this offer and working together like this we will be able to clear away snow and ice much more quickly.”
Residents who want to take advantage of this free offer should visit the council depot in Dormay Street, Wandsworth, between 9am and 1pm on either Saturday, November 14 or Saturday. November 21.
People must bring proof of address to show they live in the borough. The depot’s postcode is SW18 1EY for people using sat-navs.
The council is also supplying sacks of grit to Wandsworth’s 200 neighbourhood watch co-ordinators and filling up grit bins across the borough so that local people have an immediate stock close at hand.
There are now 55 of these bins located around the borough, situated mainly in hilly areas where icy pavements can be particularly treacherous.
When snow has fallen, the council’s priority is to keep the borough’s main roads clear of ice so that the emergency services and public transport can keep running. Particular attention is always paid to entrances at tube and rail stations, hospitals, day centres, schools, care homes, clinics and nurseries.
Town hall gritting crews have nearly 230 miles of road surface and 450 miles of pavements to treat when snow does fall.
The gritting of borough red routes and their adjoining pavements is managed by Transport for London - these include the A3, A24, A205, A214, A306, A3205 and A3220.
To find the location of your nearest grit bin visit and more advice about what to do in a cold snap visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/snow
.
November 12, 2015