Highways

Winter Management Plan

Woolbeding with Redford is an ancient Saxon ‘long parish’ some four and a half miles in length, with an average width of around three quarters of a mile. The most southerly mile, The Severals, is mostly commercial woodland on the Lower Greensand. The A272 crosses the parish along its northern border. North of the A272 the land drops twenty meters to the River Rother (20m asl). From the river the land rises on the Greensand for three miles to the parish highpoint at Telegraph Hill at 206m. It then drops rapidly to the Wealden clay at about 70m.

The Routes

The main route serving the Parish runs north from the A272 to the Vale of Fernhurst at Linch War Memorial. Its highest point is at Marsh Hill 136m. To the South the lane is narrow and often bounded by high banks, and is single track in places. To the North it is slightly wider and the verges are unstable. There are no pedestrian pavements adjacent to the lane. Sections of the road are steep and when covered by ice/packed snow become impassable to two wheel drive vehicles. Under snow conditions it is dangerous for pedestrians to be on the road because lack of exits off the carriageway, therefore this route has to be cleared/salted by mechanical means. WSCC has agreed to this through the services of ACS. Hollist Lane and Stedham Lane and St Cuthmans Drive are also covered by this agreement (see ACS Snow Clearing Map).

Older Hill Lane and Eastshaw Lane are single track lanes with light traffic and will be salted where necessary by members of the parish. There are 5 salt bins placed around the parish, the locations of the salt bins are shown on this map.

SALTING AND THE USE OF SALT BINS

There are five salt bins in the parish; two in East Shaw Lane, two in Older Hill Lane and one in Redford. See attached map.

They are unlocked and the intention is that they should be used on a when required basis.

WSCC will not replace the grit/salt during the winter months, so please use sparingly and observe the regulation that the grit/salt is provided solely for use on the public highway.

While the Parish Council provide the bins it is not directing residents to spread grit/salt; this is purely down to the individual to act on their own initiative for the benefit of the community. All bins have a notice to this effect attached to the inside of the lid.

Therefore be careful and use common sense when using the salt;

Wear a high visibility vest/ jacket, warm gloves, hat, sturdy non slip waterproof footwear, warm clothing. If you are in a position to do so, appoint a sentry to warn of approaching traffic. If you are alone contact someone when starting and finishing.

General Preparation for Adverse Conditions

In a worst case scenario it is possible that one could be snowed in for a couple of days, it is therefore wise to lay in food stocks for a short period. In case of power cuts ensure that have an alternative method of means of cooking, such as a camping stove, and alternative forms heating and lighting. Also ensure that there is a private supply of salt if required.

Residents at Particular Risk

Please bring to the attention of the Parish Council anyone with special needs or mobility problems. Be aware of the needs of your neighbours and check on their wellbeing periodically. Homes of the elderly should be maintained at a minimum of 18C.

THOUGHTS ON WINTER MOTORING

Driving on Snow and Ice

Skill at winter driving can only be gained by experience; fortunately or unfortunately the conditions required seldom occur in southern England. However there are some actions that can be taken to increase the chances of surviving the experience!

Preparation

1. Tyres. Check the tread; this should be at least 3mm deep and run the full width of the tyre.
2. Battery. Battery performance deteriorates in cold weather. Sub -20degrees it probably will not function at all. If your battery is old it may be wise to change it now.
3. Anti-freeze. Check the levels. Do not forget the screen-washers, particularly if you are travelling on salted roads.

What to Carry

Make up your own mind on this, but do think about your ‘escape kit’. Some essentials are;

1. A shovel; as big as you can fit into your boot.
2. Tow rope.
3. Waterproof and warm clothing, footwear, woolly hat and extra gloves/mittens.
4. Torch.
5. Mobile phone.
6. High visibility jacket’

The Journey

1. Is it really necessary? If not, stay at home. Better to miss a luncheon date than spend the day sorting out a bent motorcar.
2. Drive slowly. Use the gears to control your speed. Try to avoid using your brakes, and when you have to, do so gently.
3. Be particularly wary when travelling down hill.
4. If the back-end should break away try to keep the centre-line of the car pointing in the direction of travel, i.e. if the rear of the car slides to the right, steer to the right; hopefully you will come to rest at the edge of the road.
5. Drive with headlights on.

Some Thoughts

4x4 drivers should beware of over-confidence. Your advantages are when you are travelling up-hill, in some fresh snow conditions, and when extracting other vehicles. There are no advantages when travelling downhill, and the extra weight may make the 4x4 a greater menace.

Scandinavian thinking is;

1. The down-hill vehicle has priority.

2. If you are moving at the moment of collision, you are responsible.

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