We’re winter ready

The fleet treated main routes around the borough with salt in order to keep everyone moving and help make conditions safe.

The Council’s winter roads maintenance service also have vehicles ready for snow or ice should it arrive and a snow plough ready to clear roads, while the street cleaning team will do their best to keep pavements and bridges as clear as possible in severe cold weather.

We’ve got:

•  five gritting lorries on stand-by
•  2,000 tonnes of salt in our depot – enough to grit up to over 380 miles of roads and sufficient for almost three weeks of continuous snowfall
•  a team of winter heroes on-call 24/7 including weekends.

See our gritters in action

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When Havering is hit with severe cold weather, as many primary roads as possible will be salted, with priority given to bus routes and roads linking motorways and hospitals.

Once priority roads are clear, the team will look at side roads (secondary routes) so that scheduled rubbish collections can still take place.

The roads are just one area that the Council is focusing on, it also has information on keeping warm, well and healthy and the signs to look out for in keeping an eye on vulnerable relatives and neighbours during times of adverse weather.

There is also information on where to report concerns over rough sleepers and how they can get help and support, plus useful tips on staying safe both at home and around the borough.

Find more information on our winter services

Advice

Safety advice in winter weather

Make sure to consider where you park on narrower side roads during adverse weather. If possible, only park on one side of the road so our gritters can get through.

It will never be possible to cover every road and pavement in the borough, nor can it be guaranteed that surfaces are free of ice and snow at all times.

Even when icy streets have been treated, they can still be dangerous. Residents are advised to take extra care, and in heavy snow only travel if you have to. 

Refuse collections

In the event of heavy snow, rubbish and recycling collections may be affected.

Individual roads or cancelled services will be publicised on the Council's website and social media accounts.

It is advisable that if waste and recycling has not been collected on a scheduled collection day, and the street or road appears to be have been missed, residents should continue to put out their waste and the Council will aim to collect when it is safe to do so.

Safety of residents and staff is the Council’s main priority and people’s patience and understanding is always appreciated, especially during these times.

School closures

In severe weather local schools may be affected.

Parents are advised to check individual schools' websites and social media for the latest updates.

Help us Help You – Stay Well this winter

Stay warm

It is important to keep warm in winter – both inside and outdoors.

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Heat your home to at least 18C (65F). You might prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer.

Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights – breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections.

Stay active

Keep active when you're indoors.

Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so.

Wear several layers of light clothes. They trap warm air better than one bulky layer.