Walking eight miles into work is among the challenges to have been conquered by dedicated Swansea Council staff who battled their way through the winter weather to ensure services were maintained.
On Friday, staff in departments such as highways, social services, education and libraries made their way in to work despite inches of snow making driving conditions treacherous across the city.
Gritting teams undertook the 500km gritting route twice last night (Thursday) and four snow ploughs have been out and about clearing snow from key roads. Mumbles Road, Carmarthen Road and the A484 towards Loughor are among the roads the ploughs have visited as well as roads leading to hospitals. The route leading to the crematorium in Morriston has also been cleared and paths there have been made clear and safe.
Council staff have been out on foot to grit the city centre and small shopping areas elsewhere in the city in areas such as Sketty. A fleet of JCBs has also been visiting communities such as Townhill and Clase to help keep people safe and moving.
Staff in the Council’s education team have been keeping people updated about school closures via social networking sites and the Council website and marketing staff have been busy letting customers know of event cancellations like the Messiah concert that was supposed to take place at the Brangwyn Hall on Saturday.
Central Library in the Civic Centre was also open on time thanks to committed staff. Kerry Pillai, Customer and Operations Manager at Central Library, walked eight miles into work from the Penclawdd end of Gowerton.
She said: “The snow came down fairly heavily overnight but I was determined to get into work because people are keen on visiting libraries regardless of the weather.
“I started off before the sun came up and it was a very scenic walk. It took me about two and a half hours to get in.”
Staff in Child and Family Services also came into work from all corners of the city to ensure the vital service was maintained.
Kelly Bedford, an American who’s spent a lot of time in snowy Colorado, was among them.
She said: “I’ve lived in Denver in the past, so I’m very used to snow and icy conditions. Child and Family Services is a vital department so I thought it was very important to come into work as usual.”
Parks staff from Port Eynon on Gower drove through the snow to Dunvant and then walked to work from there. Tree Service workers have also been out and about on Sketty Lane to clear footpaths in the Singleton Hospital area.
Staff who braved the wintry weather to get to work also included members of the payroll team to ensure the service to staff was maintained in the countdown to Christmas. One walked to work at the Civic Centre from Gorseinon, another two walked in from Gowerton and another picked up colleagues on his way to work in his 4×4 vehicle.
Registrars got in by four-wheel drive for death registrations and weekend weddings on Gower will see Registration Officers ferried through the snow by landrover.
Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk for winter weather service updates.
