The latest situation with regards to the weather in Torfaen is as follows:
School Closures
Torfaen council is recommending all schools in the borough are closed today due to heavy snow, and pupil and staff safety. The council is advising schools to prepare their sites to ensure schools operate as normal on Friday.
The following schools have confirmed closure:
- Abersychan School
- Blenheim Road Community Primary
- Brookfield Primary
- Brynteg Nursery
- Coed Eva Primary
- Croesyceiliog Primary
- Croesyceiliog Comprehensive
- Crownbridge School
- Fairwater High
- George Street Primary
- Griffithstown Primary
- Henllys Church in Wales Primary
- Hillside Nursery
- Hillside Primary
- Kemys Fawr Infants
- Llantarnam Community Primary (formerly Oakfield)
- Llantarnam Comprehensive
- Llanyrafon Primary
- Maendy Primary
- New Inn Primary
- Our Lady of the Angel’s RC Primary
- Padre Pio RC Primary
- Penygarn Community Primary
- Ponthir Church in Wales Primary
- Pontnewydd Primary
- Pontnewynydd Primary
- Pontymoile Primary
- St Albans RC High School
- St Davids RC Primary
- Two Locks Nursery
- Victoria Primary
- West Monmouth School
- Woodlands Community Primary
- Ysgol Bryn Onnen
- Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw
- Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran
- Torfaen Pupil Referral Unit
It is the head teacher’s responsibility to notify the council about any closures. If they haven’t, the school will not appear on the above list.
Council Offices
All main offices at the Civic Centre and County Hall are open however limited services are available.
Blaenavon and Trevethin customer care offices will both be open today as will Pontypool and Cwmbran. The Register Office in Pontypool is also expected to be open today, while Call Torfaen will be open as normal.
The control room is operating and the main switchboard is due to be operating from 9am.
Torfaen Council has decided that because of the present conditions, we are advising staff that in accordance with the council’s Working in Adverse Weather Conditions Procedure|, if public transport is not operating from near employees homes to their regular place of work, or it is unreasonable with regard to personal health and the distance involved to walk to the workplace, then staff should remain at home for the present. If possible employees should contact their line manager to inform them accordingly.
This situation will be kept under review.
Roads
The local authority is working around the clock to deal with snow and ice on the roads.
Main roads have been frequently gritted and gritting vehicles have been fitted with ploughs to clear snow from main routes.
Main routes are being targeted as a priority and although the Council still has a stock of salt to help deal with freezing conditions this now needs to be carefully managed because of a national shortage.
This means that only a small number of side roads will be treated including around doctor surgeries and shopping areas.
Only grit bins in critical areas such as up steep hills will now be replenished.
Refuse and Recycling Collections
Refuse and recycling collections have been cancelled for the rest of the week in Torfaen as freezing conditions continue to grip the area.
Torfaen Council say that dangerous conditions have left them with no choice but to cancel all collections.
Snow and freezing weather has already caused widespread disruption to collections over the Christmas period and during the last week.
The Council is now urging everyone to put out both their black and green bins as well as their recycling boxes out for collection on their normal collection day. Arrangements have been made with the council’s waste management contractor to ensure all recyclable goods which may be put in refuse trucks will be sorted and will not be sent to landfill.
Weather permitting; crews will then endeavour to pick them up as usual. If problems persist and bins and boxes cannot be collected the council is asking for residents to leave bins and boxes at their usual collection point.
Social Care Services
Torfaen council is prioritising services such as domiciliary care and community meals.
Intermediate care, hospital social work and mental health services are all operational. Social Workers and Occupational Therapists are working from home and can be deployed to emergencies as required.
No significant problems have been reported by external care providers or meals on wheels services. All have good adverse weather contingency plans so can be expected to provide the best service possible within prevailing conditions. If services are disrupted, social care staff will endeavour to ensure client contact is maintained.
The council is urging residents to be helpful neighbours this winter and contact their neighbours to become a snow buddy during the current cold snap. Residents are being encouraged to keep a closer eye on the well-being of vulnerable friends, family and neighbours and if someone you know is poorly this winter, why not pop to the chemist or pick up the essentials at the supermarket for them.
Anyone who is unsure on their feet should contact their snow buddy and stay indoors to help prevent falls.
Libraries
Cwmbran Library and Pontypool Library are open today, however Blaenavon Library will remain closed. The mobile libraries will not be in operation today.
Adult & Community Learning Centres
Adult & Community Education Centres – Settlement at Pontypool, Croesyceiliog and Power Station, St Dials are open today until 3.30pm. However no classes are taking place. If you wish to attend a class tomorrow, please phone the centre before commencing your journey to check whether or not the class is taking place. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Pontypool Market
Pontypool Market is open for business.
Blaenavon Cemetery
Dangerous conditions have left the Council with no choice but to stop vehicles accessing Blaenavon Cemetery. However, there is still pedestrian access.
