Latest severe weather update for Edinburgh

With the heavy snow fall on Sunday, priority was given to Category 1 routes with 22 gritters, 16 mini-tractors and 32 other vehicles clearing snow - where possible Category 2 routes were also treated.

Nearly 400 other Council staff and sub-contractors were also out braving the conditions breaking up and clearing snow and ice from carriageways and footpaths.

In addition, pavements for category 1 and 2 routes were treated, snow and ice removal took place on Category 3 routes and all accessible grit bins have been replenished.

So far this year we have used 7,500 tonnes of salt compared to 10,500 tonnes over the whole of the previous winter. Current salt supplies in Edinburgh are sitting at around 1700 tonnes with another 1000 tonnes due to be delivered this week.

 The Council has around 3,200 tonnes on order via our suppliers and the Scottish Government central stock. Supplies are mixed with grit and the amount used will depend on local conditions. Salt use will be monitored closely and supplies obtained as we need them.

A full list of streets and their priority for gritting is now available. Residents can now look up their street name and find out what priority gritting route they are on.

The Council will be doing everything possible to bring refuse collection up-to-date, especially in the worst hit areas of the city. Crews were out at the weekend making every effort to collect refuse that has accumulated during the bad weather.

The Council is trying different ways to access areas that the refuse lorries cannot reach by using smaller caged vehicles and by refuse collectors going out on foot and lifting rubbish out of wheelie bins and carrying it to the vehicles.  Residents are being asked to make sure they bag their rubbish before putting in their bin, to make it easier for the refuse staff to collect.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environmental Leader, said: "This year, our staff and contractors have been pulling out all the stops under severe weather conditions. From bringing in extra Council contractors to our own staff volunteering to go out and clear the snow. We want to reassure residents that we are out on the ground, and are as prepared as we have ever been for whatever cold weather may come our way this week. 

"We regret that we will need to be prepared for extended disruption to the refuse service if the forecast continues to be for further bad weather and will be looking at all possible options for dealing with waste."

Other severe weather updates

Waste and Recycling over the Festive period

There will be no wheelie bin pick ups on 3, 4 and 5 January; residents should put their bin out the following week instead.

All other black sack collection services will run as normal.

There will be no change to the red and blue box collections and householders are asked to put their boxes out as normal.

There will be no collection of trade waste on 25 and 26 December or on 1 and 2 January. Traders are asked to put bins out on the first next scheduled collection day.

If residents would like their Christmas tree collected, trees should be presented beside rubbish bins or black sacks on the regular collection day. Due to the severe weather conditions, the garden waste recycling service is currently suspended. However, Christmas trees and garden waste  can be taken to any of the four Community Recycling Centres for recycling.  

The Council priority is catching up with the backlog of refuse collection due to the bad weather and ask for understanding during the severe weather period. 

The public can also use any of the temporary skips across the city for their old Christmas trees.

Abandoned cars

If there is more snow the Council is urging drivers to drive and park appropriately and avoid leaving their vehicle in an area where it could present a risk to other motorists and to avoid bus routes. Due to the bad weather last week, Police uplifted 100 cars which had been abandoned.

Potholes

All neighbourhood areas now have a squad targeting the worst potholes. Repairs will be done on a priority basis.

Bus routes

Bus routes have been targeted for gritting in the severe weather and this will be the same position if more bad weather hits Edinburgh .

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