Gritting Policy for Severe Weather Conditions
Dear All,
Just to make you aware, this was sent to Parents yesterday;
Dear Parent/Carer,
Hastings is committed to ensure the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors. As you are aware, we have had severe weather conditions over the past few days.
We have a gritting policy in place and the school continually checks the weather forecast and works with other local schools when we have been made aware of potential bad weather conditions. Assessments are carried out by our Site Manager, which includes the road conditions and he ensures the school site can be made safe.
When the premises staff arrived this morning, the roads and pavements were accessible. However, once several cars started to drive along Far Lash and people started to walk along the pavements, the thin layer of snow turned into ice.
The school has battled with the Highways Agency over the years, asking them to update the gritting route for Far Lash from a priority 3, to a priority 1 route, due to the fact that the Local Authority have made it clear that the school must not undertake any gritting beyond the school boundary. However, they will not change this. The school again asked last Thursday, but was told the same.
We would really appreciate anyone putting in a complaint to the Highways Department to make a stronger case. You can either call 0116 305 0001 or e mail highwayscustomerservices@leics.gov.uk