Council preparations underway to ensure the city is ready for Winter

Preparations are underway in Stoke-on-Trent to ensure council teams are ready to deal with flooding, ice, and snow as winter weather approaches.

Preparations are underway in Stoke-on-Trent to ensure council teams are ready to deal with flooding, ice, and snow as winter weather approaches.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Highways team are already out clearing drains at known hotspots and ensuring that waterways across the city are clear to stay ahead of the weather while being ready to respond if heavy downpours overwhelm the drainage system.

The highlighted hotspot areas include:

• Werrington Road, near the junction of Eaves Lane, Bucknall.
• Chell Street, close to the entrance of Forest Park, Northwood.
• Belgrave Road, Junction of Trentham Road, Longton. 
• Weston Coyney Road, Junction of Weston Drive, Weston Coyney. 
• Bemmersley Road, Opposite Heather View, Ball Green.
• And various watercourse ditching/desilting projects across the city.

The works will also include investigations into the causes of the flooding and additional drainage checks.

This winter, gritting teams will use seven 18 tonne gritters to cover 210 miles per evening on a priority basis, with 3000 tonnes of grit stored to keep the city moving. At the start of autumn, the vehicles were meticulously tested and serviced to ensure they were primed, ready for urgent call outs.

Cllr Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability advised: “Every winter our teams work hard in difficult conditions and are prepared for all scenarios.

“As the weather has been rapidly changing, we are seeing an increase in surface water flooding on our highway so our teams will be undertaking a permanent fix to the hot-spot flood risk areas.

“The safety of all road users is paramount, and starting works now will help keep the city moving through the wetter and colder months.”