NEWSROOM

Across the Borough, teams have spent the year delivering and preparing a range of measures to help communities cope with winter weather. This includes flood resilience projects, highway gully cleansing, road sign cleaning, routine highway maintenance and preparations for the Borough's winter gritting programme.

This year's winter preparations also include increasing the number of grit bins Borough wide, with over 1,000 bins available in key locations to help communities prepare for icy conditions.

The work forms part of a year-round approach to winter readiness, helping improve resilience during periods of heavy rainfall, ice and snow, and ensuring infrastructure is in the best possible condition heading into the colder months. Flood resilience schemes continue to be developed and delivered across the Borough from Newport to Ironbridge, alongside ongoing maintenance programmes designed to reduce disruption and support local communities during severe weather such as the work at Whitchurch Drive and Leegate Avenue.

Councillor Nathan England, Cabinet Member for Safer Streets and Better Housing, said: "Winter readiness starts long before temperatures drop.

“Across the Borough, our teams are already preparing for the months ahead by cleaning signs and gullies, maintaining grit bins, delivering flood resilience improvements and getting our gritting fleet ready for action.

“These are local people helping local people, often working early mornings, late nights and in challenging conditions to keep communities safe, connected and moving.

“Across our highways, engineering, flood resilience and waste services, we're ready to respond when needed, while also making sure residents know how to report issues, stay informed during severe weather and access support if they need it this winter."

Further information on the Borough's winter gritting programme, including updated gritting routes, will be shared in the coming weeks ahead of any potential snowfall. The Council recently completed its annual gritting dry run to ensure vehicles, equipment, salt stocks, routes and crews are fully prepared before temperatures begin to drop significantly, with an already full grit salt stock of 3,000 tonnes ready to go.

Residents can play an important role in helping services respond effectively by reporting issues as soon as they are identified.

Blocked gullies, damaged signs, potholes, flooding concerns and grit bin issues should be reported through the Council's website at www.telford.gov.uk/reportit so they can be assessed and actioned by the relevant service.

However, where there is an immediate risk to life or public safety, residents should contact the emergency services by calling 999.

The Council's waste and recycling teams will also continue working throughout the winter period, with household collections expected to continue as normal wherever it is safe to do so. In the event of severe weather affecting services, residents will be kept informed through the Council's website and social media channels.

Winter can also place additional pressure on household budgets. Alongside practical preparations on the ground, the Council is encouraging residents to check what support may be available before temperatures drop and energy use increases.

Residents who are concerned about heating costs, energy bills or wider financial pressures are encouraged to access the support available through the Council's Cost of Living website, which provides information on financial assistance, energy advice, benefits checks, debt support and other local support services.

As winter approaches, residents are encouraged to check their home heating systems, look out for vulnerable neighbours and family members, familiarise themselves with local support services and sign up for flood warnings where appropriate.

More information on winter services, flooding advice, gritting operations and cost of living support will be shared throughout the season via the Council's website and social media channels.