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News Desk - update with TfL comment
The capital is set to be blanketed with snow tonight with the Met Office a "severe weather warning" being issued for London and the South East;
"There is a high risk of severe weather affecting parts of east and southeastern England during Thursday evening and Friday. Heavy snow showers will give accumulations of 5-10cm in places on low ground and 15-20cm over hills. The snow showers are expected to gradually die out from the north of the area through the day. Some drifting snow is likely in the strong north to northeasterly wind. This could cause disruption to travel networks."
London boroughs are preparing for the "worse case scenario" according to one official from Sutton council stating that "gritters have already been out gritting the roads this week as temperatures dropped, and plans are in place to ensure that any adverse weather does not affect front line services."
Other boroughs preparing for the cold snap have ordered more grit to be used on roads, with Sutton, Enfield and Barnet all stockpiling in preparation for the weather.
Across London, City Hall is particularly sensitive to emphasise that the capital must keep running despite the weather, and priority transport routes will be cleared and maintained throughout the weather.
Refuse collectors, street sweepers and parks staff will be re-deployed to clear pavements if heavy snow settles. Essential services including hospitals, GP Surgeries, schools, care homes and high streets will be a priority.
Transport for London were blamed last February for not preparing the capital for heavy snowfall with 35 gritters and snow ploughs rolled out and heaters deployed to stop signal points freezing on the rail network. A TfL spokesperson provided the following statement:
“We are in contact with the Met Office and are closely monitoring forecasts. Working in partnership with the London boroughs we have plans in place across the public transport network to keep services operating during periods of cold weather and will implement those plans where necessary.”
We have 36 gritters on the TfL road network and enough grit for 72 days of sub zero temps or 6 days of continuous snow.
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