The UK Heath Security Agency [UKHSA] in partnership with the Met Office have issued an Amber Alert for cold weather. This Amber Alert covers the whole of England and is in place until 12pm on Sunday 12 January. Temperatures across the district are forecasts to fall to as low as -11 degrees Celsius over the rest of the week.
The gritting and snow clearing operation is continuing across the Bradford district. Gritting crews have been out since 5am this morning gritting all Priority One Routes as well as pavement routes in towns and the city centre. Gritting will continue throughout the day with crews moving to Priority Two Routes. They will be back out to grit all Priority One Routes from 4pm this evening. The pavement routes across towns and the city centre also will be gritted again from 5am tomorrow morning.
The Cold Weather Provision is open and outreach workers are out. If you are concerned about anyone sleeping rough please use Street Link to connect them to services. Long term support is also available.
The Council has taken the difficult decision suspend collection of household waste bins both today Tuesday 7 January and tomorrow. Residents are asked to put their bin out as normal and leave them out and crews will attempt to empty them when it is safe to do so. Additional side waste (recycling or general waste) will be taken if in tied black bags at the side of the bin.
The two main Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) at Bowling Back Lane (Bradford) and Royd Ings Avenue (Keighley) have been open from 9am today. All other HWRCs have stayed closed for safety purposes, however they are expected to reopen tomorrow subject to conditions.
All available operational staff across the council have been assigned alternative duties to assist with gritting and the clearance of snow and ice where possible as well as filling grit bins across the district. All available council 4x4 vehicles are also being used to support council services - including home care visits, children’s centres and bereavement services.
A Bradford Council spokesperson, said:
“It’s been a difficult few days across the country. Our staff have been working hard to try and keep the district moving and protect our vulnerable residents.
“This period of cold weather is expected to continue throughout the week with periods of further snow and rain forecast combined with extremely cold overnight temperatures.
“Our staff will continue to be out in all weathers working hard to try to keep the district moving and protect vulnerable people.
“We’d like to thank everyone across the district who is continuing to do all they can to help their community by looking out for vulnerable neighbours, family and friends.”
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said:
"We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
"This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures."
Information about Bradford Council's gritting operation including a map of gritting routes as well as advice about staying warm and well and driving in winter conditions can be found the council’s website https://www.bradford.gov.uk/winter