White-out

Published 7 Jan 2010 13:10 0 Comments

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HEAVY downpours of snow have brought much of the Borders to a standstill.

And, with forecasters warning of more blizzards to come, the freezing weather is continuing to cause widespread disruption across the region.

Roads were blocked, schools shut, bin collections suspended and all routine hospital appointments cancelled, as many council and health board services were affected.

It has been confirmed all schools and colleges will remain closed on Thursday and Friday.

Police said it was the worst weather conditions to hit the area in 20 years. And, with most bus and taxi services cancelled, motorists are being warned not to drive unless it is an emergency.

In Galashiels, many town centre shops and businesses, including banks, remained closed as staff struggled to get into work and diggers were called in to clear a path for those drivers who dared to venture out.

Shoe Zone in the town's Channel Street sold out of wellies following a flurry of customers and a new delivery was stuck in the snow.

The weight of the snow has also brought down power lines in some areas causing a blackout.

COUNCIL SERVICES

The extreme adverse weather conditions are affecting a number of Council services.

Schools

All schools in the Scottish Borders will be closed for pupils today (Wednesday, January 6). Director of Education, Glenn Rodger, said: "The care and welfare of our children, staff and parents is our priority. The forecast of further snow and the continual low forecasts for the region have presented far too high a risk for children and staff travelling and accessing school. During the rest of today and tomorrow we will be working to clear pathways to ensure as many staff and children as possible can access school safely on Thursday and Friday this week."

Parents have been informed by Groupcall but parents are encouraged to listen to local radio and check the Council website for further updates during the rest of the week. Staff are expected to attend school if they can do so safely. If parents have any specific concerns, they should e-mail ellinfo@scotborders.gov.uk or call Bordercare on 01896 752111.

The official opening of Earlston High School on Friday is postponed.

Social Work Day Centres

Day centres run by Social Work Services will also remain closed on Wednesday for safety reasons. Social Work staff will provide services as appropriate in the homes of people affected by the closure. The decision ensures that service users do not need to negotiate their way to the centres during the bad weather. The situation remains under daily review and a decision about Thursday will be taken tomorrow.

Community centres

In relation to Council community centres and buildings - no buildings will be open after 6pm tonight apart from Cinema in Hawick and the Queens centre in Galashiels. All services will operate as normal tomorrow unless a further update is issued.

Community services

Members of the public are advised to check with their local libraries about opening hours or any disruption to services. Mobile libraries are not running today (Tuesday).

Roads

The Council is continuing to maintain a 24/7 wintering gritting service, is dedicated to keeping the strategic road network of Trunk and A roads open. Gritting supplies are still being delivered to Council depots on a daily basis.

Waste collections

Routine refuse and recycling collections are affected. Every effort is being made by crews to safely collect residents' waste on their routine day. However, if you do not receive a collection on your regular day, please present your waste the following week on the next due date. Residents are advised that side waste will be taken once normal collections recommence. All Community Recycling Collection sites are currently open to accept waste.

HEALTH SERVICES

The severe weather conditions across the Scottish Borders are having an impact on some of the services provided by NHS Borders. NHS Borders are advising patients and staff to follow police advice on travel.

The latest weather conditions indicate this will be prolonged period of extreme winter weather, with low forecasts which will present a risk for people in the Borders travelling and accessing NHS Borders services.

To minimise the risks to staff and patients travelling during this severe weather, NHS Borders has reviewed its services and is suspending or cancelling some services for a short period until conditions improve.

Borders General Hospital

All routine out-patient appointments are cancelled. Any urgent patients will be contacted by the hospital directly and this will only be in exceptional circumstances.

Community Hospitals

All day hospitals and out patients are cancelled.

Health Centres

A flexible and creative approach is being taken by NHS Borders staff to successfully maintain essential health services during the current period of severe winter weather.

A number of staff have left their cars at home, wrapped up warmly and walked a few miles to work. Others are working flexibly to ensure service is sustained safely during shift changeovers or are taking up the offer of temporary accommodation to avoid additional travel.

The latest weather conditions indicate this will be a continued period of extreme winter weather, which will present a risk for people in the Borders travelling to and from work or and accessing NHS Borders services.

The severe weather is having an impact on some of the services provided by NHS Borders and the Board is advising patients and staff to follow Lothian and Borders Police advice which recommends essential travel only.

Borders General Hospital

All routine out-patient appointments are cancelled. Any urgent patients will be contacted by the hospital directly and this will only be in exceptional circumstances.

Community Hospitals

All day hospitals and out patients are cancelled.

Health Centres

All routine allied health professionals appointments e.g. physiotherapy, podiatry are cancelled. Patients should contact their Health centres if they are unsure about their appointments. Home visits are affected and patients expecting a home visit should be contacted by the health care professional directly. If they have not heard from their health care professional/nurse by midday today and have an urgent health care need they should contact their local health centre.

Community Mental Health Services

Visits and appointments are affected. Patients who are expecting a home visit or appointment should be contacted by their health care professional directly. If they have not heard from their health care professional by midday and they have an urgent health care need, they should contact their local community mental health team office.

NHS Borders Staff

NHS Borders Staff are encouraged to follow the Adverse Weather Policy, to let their line manager if they cannot get to their normal place of work and make their way to the nearest health facility to work there. We are working to coordinate essential transport services. This will be done through line managers.

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Borders said: "I would like thank our staff for the exceptional efforts they are making to ensure we maintain essential services during this extreme winter weather.

"While we are doing what we can to mitigate the impact of the weather on our services, our top priority is the wellbeing and safety of our staff and patients, so our decision to suspend or cancel certain services in the short-term is to limit non-essential travel as much as possible. Staff and patients should follow the guidance of the police when considering travelling and should monitor local radio or contact the relevant health service or place of work if they have any queries.

"NHS Borders is well prepared to deal with adverse weather conditions, having well established contingency plans in place to manage the impact of severe weather on our services.

"We are working closely with partner agencies to monitor and manage the situation. We are continually reviewing the impact on services, particularly our priority services and at-risk patients, to ensure we continue to maintain these key services and mitigate the effects of the severe weather."

ROADS

Chief Constable Kevin Smith, chair of road policing with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "The weather conditions which are being experienced across the United Kingdom at present are the worst in 20 years and driving is extremely difficult and dangerous. Our advice is to consider very carefully if your journey is absolutely necessary. If you must drive then ensure that you and your car are adequately prepared for the journey ahead."

Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, added: "Police up and down the country have been working hard to ensure motorists are safe during the severe cold weather and it's hard to believe some drivers are still taking risks on the roads. I would urge everyone who has to drive over the next few days to listen to police advice and take the necessary precautions."

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