Big freeze brings Borders to a standstill
Published 2 Dec 2010 09:30
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While some struggled in the snow, for others it was child's play.
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BLIZZARDS brought much of the Borders to a virtual standstill this week as the region suffered its worst white-out in more than 30 years.
Roads were closed and communities cut off as council gritters worked round the clock in a desperate effort to keep the region moving.
However, with more snow showers predicted and temperatures plummeting to a record minus 20 degrees Celsius, weather forecasters have warned of a long winter ahead.
Scottish Borders Council Leader David Parker said: "We are making a plea to our residents to do what they can to help us keep services operating as much as possible across communities. These are difficult circumstances which look set to continue for several weeks.
"I am sure our residents can understand that our staff are continuing to work at full capacity to keep roads clear and council services running where possible."
But he added: "We need the public to help us gain access to their waste and continue to be good neighbours within their communities. We would also like to ask residents to carry on helping vulnerable neighbours, family or friends to ensure they too can have their bin collected at an appropriate location."
Emergency teams worked round the clock to get the area moving again as the country was gripped by the big freeze as more than two feet of snow fell in places in just a couple of days.
However, all 64 primary schools and nine secondaries in the Borders were closed yesterday and most were expected to remain closed today (Wednesday).
All routine hospital appointments and bus services were cancelled and many shops and businesses shut as workers struggled to cope with the conditions.
Bin collections and burials were also suspended as council workers were diverted from their normal duties to clear snow.
Glenn Rodger, the council's director of education and lifelong learning, said: "It is never an easy decision to close schools and one which we need to consider carefully."
But he added: "When faced with such severe weather and low temperatures, we need to take into account the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff, catering, road conditions as well as advice we are receiving from colleagues in the police and roads department."
The region's joint emergency planning group, comprising the Council, Police, Fire and Rescue, NHS Borders and the Scottish Ambulance Service, met regularly over the weekend to ensure a joint approach to the worsening weather.
Social work services were continuing to maintain an essential service for all clients across the region and a helpline number was setup for the Emergency Duty Team - 01896 752111.
A council spokesman said: "The latest forecast from the Met office indicates that although snow showers are due to ease as the week progresses, the region will see temperatures plummet to as low as minus 20 in some rural areas. Ongoing snow showers and extremely cold conditions are predicted to continue right up to Christmas."
Health chiefs were also working round the clock to keep lifeline services operating in the Borders throughout the cold snap. However, the health board warned of an increase risk of accidents on untreated roads and pavements and advised the public to take extra care.
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Borders said: "NHS Borders is well prepared to deal with adverse weather conditions. We have contingency plans in place, including an Adverse Weather Policy for staff, to mitigate the impact of severe weather on our services.
"We are working closely with partner agencies to monitor the situation and identify and address any service issues we anticipate as a result of this extreme winter weather. We are continually reviewing our staffing and service provision, particularly our priority services and at-risk patients with access issues, to ensure we continue to maintain these key services during this period of bad weather."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 02 Dec 10
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