Snow problems in Havant will be dealt with in future
We may be in the middle of summer but councillors are already planning for the next snow storm.
Havant Borough Council is drawing up plans to cope with future severe winters like the one experienced earlier this year.
It has highlighted the need to clear major car parks for workers and shoppers after a report into January's snowstorms revealed the council lost around 15,000 in car park revenue.
All resources were sent out to assist Hampshire County Council to clear major roads and pathways for residents stuck in the worst affected areas.
But this meant that car parks were not touched.
Despite the dangerous driving conditions people who made it to work found they could not get in the car park.
During the period of heavy snow in January car park income was down by around 10,000 and fines by approximately 5,000.
Tony Cailes, technical services manager at the council, said that in future the most important council run car parks for shoppers and workers must be cleared.
The car parks which will be given top priority are Greywell in Leigh Park, Wellington Way, Waterlooville, South Street, Emsworth, Prince George Street, Havant, East Pallant, Havant and the Civic Offices disabled bays.
Councillor Jenny Wride, who is in charge of transport at the council, said: 'We did not actually have a car park winter maintenance programme simply because we have never had such extreme weather.
'Obviously we need to have a programme now though.
'Our staff were deployed to assist Hampshire County Council with keeping the main highways clear and also deployed to drive meals on wheels.
'We now have to plan to deal with things that we have responsibility for as well as helping other agencies get through what was a really tricky time.'
Cllr Wride added: 'People will always be the priority and the roads must be cleared to get to the people who can't help themselves.
'But then we must focus on our responsibilities, particularly the car parks.'
Council officers will not act every time there is snow, ice or frost, only during prolonged periods.
And then grit and sand will be applied to areas around ticket machines and main pedestrian access points.
The plans were agreed at Havant Borough Council's cabinet meeting the Civic Offices.
Cllr Wride was one of the people who saved the day in January after a number of elderly residents contacted her saying they were stuck in their homes without essentials.
She jumped in her neighbour's Land Rover picked up supplies and negotiated the icy roads to drop them off and make sure the residents were safe and well.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
