States update snow plan, ahead of cold snap

Friday 23 February 2018

With snow flurries forecast, the States of Guernsey have issued an updated "snow plan".

The document includes advice for parents with children at school and those planning to travel during the forecast cold weather, which could bring some of the white stuff with it.

The met office has said there are early indications of snow, so the States of Guernsey says it has "put preparations in place in the event normal services are disrupted."
 

Snow alert for Guernsey; issued at 10:32 UTC, 23/02/2018. pic.twitter.com/70TyLu69OD

— CI Weather Warnings (@Jersey_MetCI) February 23, 2018

In the event of any snow affecting the island, the States of Guernsey have said most communication with the public about any disrupted services will be through the local media. 

However, at this stage it is not expected that normal life will be disrupted.

In the eve of any snow the following advice will stand: 

Traffic

Guernsey Police will assess road safety conditions and will issue information to local media, with advice likely to focus on road conditions and officers may suggest that only essential journeys should be considered.  

Traffic and Highway Services is responsible for looking after the island’s roads and, during times of snowfall, works closely with States Works which carries out the gritting of priority arterial roads only. A map outlining the gritting plan and other useful advice can be found at gov.gg/snow.

If there is snow or icy conditions, drivers are asked to keep your distance.

Guernsey's roads will not be 'gritted' though with this explanation given:

"Due to the risk of contaminating the island’s water supply, rock salt (which is used in the UK) is generally not used as the majority of the island is within the water catchment area.

"Salt based products must not under any circumstances be used on a property without the written authority of Guernsey Water. Should individuals or companies require their own small stock of de-icer, Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) is available from States Works." 

Schools

With Guernsey's schools due to return on Monday 26 February after the half term break, Education Services has made specific arrangements for the assessment, management and operation of each of its schools in "severe weather conditions" with "CMA applied to snow or ice as required to provide safe access to and from school buildings".

We are warned that while every effort will be made to open all accessible schools, there may be some which cannot open due to unsafe access, issues with the facilities including burst water pipes or heating system failures, or insufficient staffing levels. 

As usual, a decision about opening or closing schools will be conveyed via the media by 07:15.

Parents will be expected that parents to use their own discretion to keep a child at home "if they believe that conditions make it unsafe for the student to attempt to reach school." 

If severe weather conditions arise during the school day, announcements will be made as soon as decisions are taken.

The grant-aided colleges will make their own decisions whether to open or not based on their respective operational circumstances and will advise the media accordingly.

Pictured: File image of a child playing in the snow in Guernsey, March 2013

Health and Social Care

Health and Social Care has its own transport arrangements for staff during wintry conditions, thereby ensuring that the majority of its services continue to function while St John Ambulance and Recue Service will be on hand to "assist with the provision of transport for essential patients".

Airport

As it is very rare for there to be enough snowfall to disrupt airport operations, the provision of extensive snow clearing equipment on-island "does not represent value for money", however, within the constraints of available resources, Guernsey Airport says it will "make every effort to plan for and deal with snow and ice contamination."  

While Guernsey Airport makes every reasonable effort to clear snow and ice from airside areas, we are warned that is a lengthy process, and that in severe weather, it could also likely that destination airports are themselves suffering delays.

Keeping the public informed

The States of Guernsey tells us that it will "look to provide regular updates for the community, through the media, gov.gg and social media" and that we should follow the States of Guernsey and Guernsey Police Twitter and Facebook pages, for regular updates in the event of severe weather.

Information about action plans for all services across the States of Guernsey can be found at gov.gg/snow.