With the first gritters of the winter out on our roads Mid Sussex residents are being encouraged to prepare for whatever severe weather this winter might bring. The Government has published a ‘snow code’ to act as guidance for dealing with snow and ice and Mid Sussex District Council is encouraging all residents to read it.

Following last winter’s severe snow and icy conditions (compared with what we are normally used to) experienced in the Burgess Hill area, members of the Emergency Planning Liaison Group, formed from representatives of Mid Sussex, Parish and Town Councils, the Police, health agencies, West Sussex Fire and Rescue and West Sussex County Council, met at Mid Sussex District Council to find new ways of working closely together to tackle the effects of severe weather.

Mid Sussex District Council claims a great deal of preparation and partnership working has taken place over the summer months and actions are already in place.

–          Town Councils across the District have been receiving their own stocks of salt to help manage the impact of severe weather on our communities

–          West Sussex County Council has doubled its salt stocks and these will be distributed by delivering to the critical areas

–          In the most extreme conditions, West Sussex County Council will publish a ‘Daily Decision’ showing their priorities for snow clearance so that local councils will make any supplementary arrangements, if necessary.

West Sussex County Council has the primary responsibility for gritting/salting roads and to read more about their work, see www.westsussex.gov.uk.