Refuse and recycling collections in Torfaen have been cancelled today after heavy snowfall overnight.
Torfaen Council say that dangerous conditions have left them with no choice but to cancel today’s rounds in Croesyceiliog, Griffithstown, Llanyrafon, Llanfrechfa, Llantarnam, Oakfield, Ponthir and Sebastopol.
Snow and freezing weather has already caused widespread disruption to collections over the Christmas period and during the last week.
The Council anticipates the backlog could run into thousands.
But in a bid to catch up this week, crews worked over the weekend and transit vans were drafted in to collect waste from a number of areas which refuse and recycling vehicles could not access.
However, these efforts have also been hampered by the overnight snowfall.
A Council spokesman said: “We are doing our very best to deal with unprecedented weather conditions.
“Unfortunately, the heavy snow has meant that we’ve had to cancel today’s collections.
“The bad weather has presented us with a set of problems which are taking some time to resolve but we will endeavour to pick up bins and black boxes as soon as possible when the weather improves.
“We would like to thank residents for their patience and support through this period and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The local authority says it is working around the clock to deal with the “worst icy conditions” on the roads it has experienced this time of year for more than a decade
Main roads have been frequently gritted and gritting vehicles have been fitted with ploughs to clear snow from main routes.
The Council is recommending that unless the journey is essential, motorists do not drive on the roads until the weather clears.
The Council spokesman said: “We have been gritting and ploughing the roads all night but because the snowfall has been heavy it has been settling again as soon as a gritting vehicle passes.
“This has meant that even our main routes will have a covering of snow until the weather clears.”
Main routes are being targeted as a priority and the Council still has a stock of salt to help deal with freezing conditions.
Around 52 per cent of roads in Torfaen are treated, which compares favourably to the national average of 37 per cent.
On minor roads, not on the gritting routes and footways, 580 grit bins are provided. They are being replenished when possible.
Dangerous conditions have left the Council with no choice but to stop vehicles accessing Blaenavon Cemetery. However, there is still pedestrian access.
