Adur & Worthing CouncilsAdur DC logo - click for the Adur DC websiteWorthing BC logo - click for the Worthing BC websiteSwash

Weather information for the Adur and Worthing area :
Snow and ice situation (last updated : Friday, 3 February, 2012 10:20 AM )

As of Friday, 3 February, 2012 :

We apologise for any disruption to council services that may be caused by snow and ice.

If temperatures across the SE of England remain close to, or below, freezing this means that any untreated surfaces will be slippery and overnight freezing will make conditions worsen and become treacherous due to ice and/or snow.

Remember - If you have to be out and about in periods of poor weather conditions please remember to take extra care and only travel if your journey is absolutely essential. If you are out enjoying the snow, please enjoy it safely!

Please click on a topic below to see how it has been affected by the adverse weather conditions in the Adur and Worthing area (and across South East England) :

See also :

Report or find out about things on the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) website :

Council offices, cash offices (payments) and facilities :

Please note that in the event of snow and ice some services may be disrupted or run at a reduced strength, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

As of Friday, 3 February, 2012 : Services are running as normal
 

Adur DC logoAdur DC council offices :

Worthing BC logoWorthing BC council offices :

Cancelled meetings :

Cancelled events :

See also :

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Recycling and refuse collections :

AWS logoAs of Friday, 3 February, 2012 : services are running as normal

However, in the event of snow and ice : For the very latest information and updates (including information about any missed or delayed collections) see the AWCS website (www.aws.gov.uk) 

Please note :

Household Waste Recycling Sites (rubbish tips) - in the event of snow and ice these may be running a reduced service :

Recycling and refuse collection lorry in the snowFrequently asked questions (FAQs) or comments :

Please also note :

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Gritting and icy pavements :

WSCC logoSnow ploughs and gritting : This is the responsibility of West Sussex County Council. If you have an issue with gritting, snow ploughs, road clearance or pavements please see the gritting information on the West Sussex County Council website (www.westsussex.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=10262)
 

Clearing the snow from pavementsIn the event of snow and ice Adur and Worthing's cleansing staff may be redeployed to assist in keeping pavements in town centres, district shopping areas and other key areas clear of snow and ice. We will do our best to keep main town centre pavements and pedestrian routes clear to assist West Sussex County Council.
 

Statement from Adur and Worthing Councils :

Statement from West Sussex County Council (WSCC) :

Clearing snow and ice from pavements yourself :

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Schools closures :

WSCC logoThe decision to close a school due to bad weather is made by the headteacher of the school on that morning following an assessment of the situation and the number of staff present or who able to make it into the school.

Please use the links below to check for full details of current school closures :

On the radio - listen to the following stations or visit their websites :

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Car parks :

Car parks remain open but users are advised to take extreme care if any snow or ice is present.

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Leisure centres, Worthing Theatres and Worthing Museum & Art Gallery :

These are all expected to be open as normal, however you may want to contact the relevant facility for their current opening arrangements before you travel to any of them :

Leisure facilities are expected to be open as normal to the public however some may close early - please see the relevant leisure venues website(s) for full current up to date information :

Adur :

Worthing :

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Libraries :

WSCC logoLibraries are a West Sussex County Council service. These are all expected to be open as normal, however you may want to contact the relevant library for their current opening arrangements before you travel to any of them.

For their contact details see :

For details of all library services, and to use on-line library services, see :

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Worthing Crematorium :

As of Friday, 3 February, 2012 : Worthing crematorium is open and is scheduling services as normal.

However, should we get snow or ice :

In the event of snow or ice :

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Travel and traffic news :

Remember to take care :

Public transport :

To find out how public transport has been affected see the relevant links in our travel section :

Road travel and other useful travel news :

Traffic updates on the radio : Listen to the following stations or visit their websites :

 

Useful advice when snowy or icy conditions are present :

Drivers : Consider whether your journey is essential, if it is, check the local and national weather forecasts before setting out. Please slow down and take extra care on icy or snowy roads especially in sheltered rural areas and residential roads, main roads have been gritted but extra care should be taken by all including pedestrians and cyclists. Drive with care even after roads are salt treated and keep your distance - it can take more than 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions. If driving, listen to your local or national radio stations for up to date travel news. Keep an emergency pack in your car's boot (warm clothes, food, drink/water, boots, a torch, a spade and a fully-charged mobile phone with you in case of a breakdown, etc) - you may need it if you get into trouble.
See also : our winter driving advice section

Pedestrians : Please take extra care when out and about, slippery icy or conditions could be hidden underneath snow and could cause injury if due care and attention is not taken. The town centre and district shopping area pavements have been gritted and are being actively cleared. Non-town centre area pavements may still be untreated, therefore please take caution. If you feel you have to walk in the road due to the pavement conditions please be aware of road traffic around you, and wear high visibility clothing to help motorists spot you - especially in darker conditions. Wear stout footwear. If going out consider taking your evening shoes with you but using sensible shoes to get to your destination. High heels and snow for example do not mix!

Cyclists and motorcyclists : To be safe you are strongly advised to leave your bike or motorcycle at home and either walk or use other forms of transport. But if you really feel you must take your bike out then you are advised to wear high visibility clothing and use your lights to ensure motorists can see you and to take extra care on slippery surfaces (which may not be obvious) - if in any doubt about the conditions get off and push your bike, or lock it up safely out of the way and come back for it when the weather improves.

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This Weather Widget is provided by the Met Office
 

Keeping up to date with the latest local and national weather news :

Please see the following external websites for up-to-date weather warnings and severe weather forecast information :

There is a local weather station on Shoreham Beach with real-time weather information :

For lots of other links to weather forecasts and information :

On the radio - listen to the following stations or visit their websites :

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NHS and Health issues :

Statement from South East Coast Ambulance service :

"Just to make you aware that in the event of adverse weather in the region, we are asking people to only call us when it is a life-threatening emergency and that we are going to take longer to reach patients with less serious emergencies. Therefore we are saying that if people do have a less serious emergency consider contacting NHS Direct or make own way to walk-in centre, or minor injury unit."

Use external websites :

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West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

West Sussex Fire and Rescue badgeWest Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is a department of West Sussex County Council.

Messages from them about :

Stay away from areas of frozen water

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay away from areas of frozen water, as the current icy conditions look set to continue.

Over the last decade over 20 people have drowned in the UK as a result of venturing out onto ponds and lakes that have frozen over. More than half of these were trying to rescue other people or dogs. In many instances the dogs managed to scramble out to safety, while the owner, unfortunately, did not.

Neil Graham, a firefighter with West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's Technical Rescue team, who are all fully trained and equipped to carry out specialist ice rescues, said:

"A frozen lake or stream can look safe, but there is really no way of knowing how thick the ice is and whether it will hold your weight, so the advice is to simply stay clear of it. People should take extra care around the edges of waterways because a layer of snow can easily disguise thin ice underneath."

"For dog owners the safest option is to keep your dog on a lead and avoid throwing sticks or balls near frozen water so they cannot run out onto the ice. We'd also ask that parents talk to their children about the dangers of skating or playing on frozen water."

"If you do see an animal in difficulty do not try to rescue it yourself - if the ice is too thin to support a dog's weight, it certainly won't support yours. Instead call 999 and give the emergency services as much information as you can about your location and what has happened."

Burst pipe? Make sure you know what to do says West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to call a qualified plumber rather than the emergency services if their water pipes burst in the thaw that follows icy weather conditions, providing their life is not in danger.

But if electrical appliances are involved and the situation is at all risky, the advice is to call 999.

Burst pipes can occur when freezing temperatures rise and a thaw starts following an icy spell.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service offers the following advice to keep your home's water supply running smoothly and help prevent your pipes from freezing:

Other safety tips include:

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service don't want to deter people from dialling 999 if they feel there is a risk to life as a result of flooding water damaging electrics. But they ought to be aware of where their property's stopcock and fuse box are, so they can make themselves safe.

See also

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Volunteering

Alongside the excellent work of our public services in responding to the severe weather, we have seen many tremendous examples of the way local communities have pulled together.

Volunteering your time can make a big difference to those who are struggling during the cold snap. We would encourage those interested in lending a hand to contact their local Volunteer Centre in Adur (Adur Voluntary Action) for advice on where they can help.

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