Feedback from residents suggests that the Council did well in the recent snowy weather – with the roads being gritted, many residents having their own grit due to the “free grit” scheme and the many grit bins being regularly replenished.

 

On Monday 21 January most local school were closed but they had re-opened by Tuesday and all Sutton schools were open on Wednesday and thereafter.

 

We published on this website regular updates on the snow position, with links to sources for the latest information:

 

Schools

For regular school updates go to: https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5419
 
Libraries
All Sutton’s libraries remained open.
 
Children’s Centres
Some of Sutton’s Children’s Centres closed early on Friday 18 January. For regular updates go to https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11718 or follow Sutton on Twitter @Suttononline.

Leisure Centres
All Sutton’s leisure centres were open as normal.
 
Bins
Bin collections operated as normal.
 
Gritting
 
Sutton Council’s gritters were operating through the night on Thursday 17 January and continued through the snow period. To check their progress, go to @SuttonGrit on Twitter. You can also see precautionary gritting routes here: https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15772.
 
Will side streets be gritted? Sutton will grit side streets once main roads have been cleared and only when they are deemed a priority.
 
That road is meant to be gritted but it doesn’t look like it! When the salt goes down it’s hygroscopic which means that it attracts moisture and it only becomes activated when it’s ‘trafficked’. So it can look a bit underwhelming before this happens. When it’s driven over it grinds down and mixes with the moisture it attracts from around it to become brine, a salty water. That’s what you’re ideally looking for because brine is most effective.
 
Where is my nearest grit bin? You can find your nearest grit bin here https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15190. Grit bins will be checked by Sutton Council over the weekend, but if yours is empty then let us know and we will pass the information to Sutton Council.
 
Service Updates for Sutton
For the latest service updates for Sutton you can visit:
https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11718 for gritting and snow advice or follow Sutton on Twitter @Suttononline and @SuttonGrit.
 
Transport
Capital Connect have cancelled some trains and Southern ran an amended service, but you can check up-to-date travel information using the links below. 
 
National Rail: http://nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/indicator.html
TFL: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/tube/default.html
Live bus departures: http://countdown.tfl.gov.uk/
Live road information: http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic-information/
 

Main roads in Sutton were all gritted and operating normally.

It’s always difficult when we’re hit by snow, but we hope the necessary steps to minimise inconvenience were taken, to minimise disruption.

Warm Rooms scheme is a Sutton lifesaver

When temperatures plummet and snow falling, a unique partnership between Sutton Council, community nurses, the Citizens Advice Bureaux and Ecolocal helps vulnerable people survive sub-zero conditions.

Sutton Council’s Warm Rooms project uses a £72,000 Department of Health grant to provide emergency assistance to sick, elderly and vulnerable residents living in properties that are poorly-prepared for winter weather.

And an innovative tie-in with community nurses now means that people in desperate need can be quickly identified and helped.

Heather , as Vice Chair of Sutton Council’s Adult Social Services and Health Committee, says: “Warm Rooms could be a real lifesaver.

“This unique project not only offers vital and timely help, but also provides real value-for-money for the borough as it is funded by a grant from the National Health Service.”

Once people in need are identified, through referrals from health workers or the council’s own meals on wheels service or by getting in touch themselves, an expert visits to assess their needs.

The CAB is informed so they can check that residents are claiming the right benefits and the home check flags up what needs to be done immediately to make people more comfortable.

The authority can then provide help including draught proofing, lined curtains, thermal clothing and warm bedding to help vulnerable people survive the worst of the cold weather.

Once the emergency help is in place, residents can then be referred to other council departments and agencies which can provide longer-term help and advice with issues such as insulation and boilers.

To access help call 020 8770 5070 or email warmroom@sutton.gov.uk