Gritters Keep Wimbledon On The Road

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Wimbledon trains are affected by the weather

A fleet of six gritters with drivers, 30 street sweeping staff and a mechanic have been out trying to keep Merton's roads on the move in the wintery weather.

And South West trains implemented a special timetable again on Monday (January 21) for some trains heading from Wimbledon.  

But it said it would run a normal weekday service on Tuesday (January 22), although it said some services would be subject to alteration and some would consist of fewer coaches.

A statement said: "Test trains will run over lines which have been closed over the last few days due to icy weather conditions. With freezing temperatures expected to continue in parts of the UK over the next 48 hours, services will continue to be reviewed according to the developing conditions.

Meanwhile the borough council said its winter maintenance duty officers were on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week making decisions on when and where to grit, based on Met Office weather forecasts. 

The council started filling its salt barn as early as the summer in preparation for any severe winter weather.  By the beginning of January, Merton had 2,038 tonnes of grit in its salt barn with a further 735 tonnes delivered this month.

Merton Council cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton said: “It is great to see nearly all our schools open. Just two special needs schools have not opened, which is understandable given the severe disabilities children attending those schools have.

"I would also like to thank Merton headteachers for ensuring that children were able to attend school today, and that our schools were both safe and accessible. Before the snow arrived we were out gritting the roads and pavements around town centres, schools, train stations and local shops, and we're confident we’ll be able to deal with any more snow which may be heading our way."

To check Merton council's special page to find the latest on your local school: Click here.

January 21, 2013