Snow warden scheme proves popular in Telford & Wrekin
Just 10 days after launching its Neighbourhood Snow Warden campaign, Telford & Wrekin Council has said it is almost half way to achieving its goal to recruit a team of 50 community volunteers.
Since launching the initiative at the beginning of the month, 23 residents have expressed their interest in signing up to the scheme that will help to support the council’s efforts to help keep untreated roads and footpaths free of ice and snow this winter.
The volunteer Neighbourhood Snow Wardens will help clear roads and pavements and spread salt in their local area. They will also be given a brief summary of the council’s Winter Maintenance Policy and an insight into how weather forecasting works.
The Council is still on the look out for volunteers (community groups or individuals) from areas routinely treated as part of the council’s normal winter maintenance routes. Telford & Wrekin Council already treats a higher proportion of roads than many other councils.
The volunteer wardens will receive training from the council and will be given a summary of the council’s winter maintenance policy and given an insight into how weather forecasting works.
Snow Wardens will need to have access to a mobile phone or the internet to receive weather information and alerts on gritting during the periods of extreme weather.
As well as the training they will also be issued with, equipment and covered by the council’s insurance. They will be risk assessed and, when the weather demands, will be sent bags of salt to use to improve local roads.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Co-operative Council, said: “I am really pleased that already 23 keen volunteers have come forward to become Neighbourhood Snow Wardens.
“We have a continuous flow of new people coming forward to offer their time and there is still ample opportunity for local people to register to become a Neighbourhood Snow Warden.
“As a co-operative council we really encourage and support the community to get involved in many different ways. The Neighbourhood Snow Warden initiative will provide extra help and support in places where it is most needed.
“This is over and above our current winter service but it will make a difference to local roads not on our gritting routes as well as footpaths.
“The launch of the Neighbourhood Snow Wardens scheme is yet another example of a Co-operative Council in action.”
This initiative also supports the work of the independent Co-Operative Commission, made up of business and community representatives, which asked the Council look at a number of themes including improving civic pride and increasing volunteering.
To register your interest in becoming a Neighbourhood Snow Warden visit www.telford.gov.uk/snowwardens or telephone 01952 384000.
