Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is once again preparing for predicted severe weather and is urging residents to take care.
Forecasters have warned of severe conditions in the coming days, with significant snowfall and associated freezing conditions expected.
Staff are preparing for the situation and also continuing their ongoing work to protect the public and the critical infrastructure of Rhondda Cynon Taf on a daily basis.
Latest forecasts predict there will be snowfall on Thursday, but this will be preceded by rain, creating a difficult situation in that any salt put down by the Council to deal with the snow may be washed away by the rain.
This will cause hazardous driving conditions and motorists are urged to only travel if absolutely necessary and to take extreme care, ensuring they check www.rctcbc.gov.uk and local media for the latest information on travel and weather conditions.
While all effort will be made to keep the three mountain roads of Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos open, the Council will not hesitate to take action should conditions become dangerous.
It is important for motorists to appreciate that these three roads are among the highest and most exposed in Wales and, as such, are affected severely by inclement weather – even with regular gritting and ploughing.
Continuous planning for such weather conditions means the authority does have a stock of salt and an effective system for ensuring the main road network infrastructure is treated on a regular basis during inclement weather.
Staff from across the local authority are preparing to work around-the-clock to do what they can to ensure roads, pavements and other critical public areas are salted on behalf of the public.
However, residents must be aware that weather conditions often become so severe they overpower all efforts to manage their impact and that extreme care must be taken when out and about.
Staff have also strived to ensure salt bins kept in communities for use on streets and pavements for the benefit of all are refilled regularly.
Reports have been received of individuals emptying the bins and using the salt for their own private purposes – on driveways and the like – and the Council is once again stressing that such activity is not acceptable.
Nigel Wheeler, Head of Streetcare, said: “We have robust plans in place to deal with inclement weather and, importantly, staff who are committed to working on behalf of the public during such times to manage the situation.
“As well as continuing our regular response to the winter weather, we are now preparing for the predicted severe conditions in the coming days.
