Portobello & Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership  

You are here: Home » Neighbourhood Partnerships » Portobello and Craigmillar » Local Info » East severe weather response winter 2010

Updates from the East Neighbourhood Manager

I am posting frequent update information on East Neighbourhood's response to the snowy and icy conditions in Winter 2010 during this period of sever weather. You can find these below.

The level of snowfall we have received is completely unprecedented in my experience and your patience in dealing with service requests during this period is greatly appreciated.

If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me directly by phone or email. I am picking up email by mobile over the weekend and evenings during this period. Kind regards,

Jim Hunter, East Neighbourhood Manager. 0131 469 5342

The City of Edinburgh Council website's severe weather pages provide updates on other services such as school closures.

Social Care Direct can be contacted for situations where there are specific concerns about friends, family or neighbours. Their telephone number is 0131 200 2324. In the evenings and weekends, the out of hours service number for Social Care Direct is 0800 731 6969.

Scottish Government website offers advice to residents and others on the safe clearance of snow and ice from paths and pavements. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/ready-scotland/Winter/help/pathsanddriveways

Other useful website to check are:

• Lothian Buses
• First Bus
• Edinburgh Airport

Weather Response Update No.26  - East Neighbourhood - 1330 hrs  Sunday 19 Dec 

We have been asked to prioritise the Children and Families premises below to assist with them being able to open on Monday:  

• Niddrie Mill Primary
• Towerbank Primary
• Castlebrae HS
• Holyrood HS
• Portobello HS
• Craigmillar Early Years
• Greendykes Early Years  

Gritting the accesses will have to be done manually and will commence as soon as possible. The Medical Centres in East will be done again next if required. The three Community Education Centres (Craigentinny, Jack Kane and Magdalene) will commence on completion of the above.  

Please note that operations are being hampered by continuing snowfall and priority areas will continue to take precedence over other requests unless there is a risk to life and limb.  

Grit Dumps
As of today we have put in place 71 Grit Dumps across the Neighbourhood which will be restocked starting again tomorrow.

Other Priority Task / Areas for today (Sunday)

Core Tasks
Road and Pavement Gritting: Southfield & Durham areas

Squad 1:
Icebreaking/clearing pavements & gritting: Niddrie Mill, Niddrie & Marischal areas.

Squad 2:
Icebreaking/clearing pavements and roads then gritting: Windsor, Mount Lodge & Argyles (all Portobello), Meadowfield Avenue, Meadowfield Drive, Paisley Drive and Northfield area.

Squad 3:
All grit dumps (71 No.) replenished.

Task Force  (Street Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance) 
Gritting of footways (after Children and Families premises above completed):

Sheltered Housing, Newcraighall Village, Niddrie Mains Road, Niddrie Mains & Portobello High Street and priority locations.

Concierge
Gritting schools accesses, library access, bus stops and Sheltered Housing at Niddrie

Snow Ploughs/Gritters
Roads Services ploughs/gritters have been operating across East Neighbourhood residential streets again today.  The Council website details roads maintained by the Council and their gritting route categories

Community Information
For further information go to the Council Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-City-of-Edinburgh-Council/124181887611335?v=wall and on Twitter at @Edinburgh_CC . For travel information in Edinburgh on Twitter try @edintravel.

Weather Response Update No.25 - East Neighbourhood - 1500 hrs Friday 17 Dec

General Situation Ahead of Weekend
The forecast for today and the weekend is for temperatures to remain below zero with snowfall from 1800 hrs Saturday through Sunday and Monday. We will have a full team of East Neighbourhood staff and contractors working through the weekend on ice removal, gritting and possibly snow clearance.

Grit Dumps
As of today we have put in place 71 Grit Dumps across the Neighbourhood for residents to use.  This is a dynamic situation and numbers and locations will depend on current pavement clearing/gritting rates. We will re-assess the situation early Monday if there is further snowfall. 

Priority Task / Areas for today , Saturday and Sunday

Core Tasks
Road and Pavement Gritting: Southfield & Durham areas (Sunday Only) 

Squad 1:
Icebreaking/clearing pavements & gritting: Niddrie Mill, Niddrie & Marischal areas.

Squad 2:
Icebreaking/clearing pavements and roads then gritting: Windsor, Mount Lodge & Argyles (all Portobello), Meadowfield Avenue, Meadowfield Drive, Paisley Drive and Northfield area.

Squad 3: All grit dumps (71 No.) replenished. List of Grit Dump locations update 4 

Task Force  (Street Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance) 
Gritting of footways:Sheltered Housing, Newcraighall Village, Niddrie Mains Road, Niddrie Mains & Portobello High Street and priority locations 

Concierge
Gritting:Schools accesses, library access, bus stops and Sheltered Housing at Niddrie

Snow Ploughs/Gritters
Roads Services ploughs/gritters have been operating across East Neighbourhood residential streets again today  and will do so over the weekend .  The Council website's Streets by Treatment Category list details roads maintained by the Council and their gritting route. http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3300/streets_by_treatment_category

Potholes / Road Repairs
Hot repairs and patching is ongoing with additional squads now operating. 

Community Advice and Information

• The Council website now contains an FAQ section on how we are responding to weather conditions and can be found here - http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/119/emergency_planning/1262/severe_winter_weather_q_and_as/1   
•  The Scottish Government advice on community snow/ice clearance can be found here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868 

Waste Disposal / Refuse Collection
A normal refuse collection service is underway but is still running approximately a half day behind because of the larger volumes being collected. The temporary skips will remain in place meantime and a crew tasked with removing spillages and excess at these locations. 

• Marionville Road/ adjacent to old Kwik Fit car park -  EH7 5TX or EH7 5TY
• Greendykes Road/ Drive - EH16 4EY or EH16 4JJ
• Duddingston Park South - EH15 3LJ
• Musselburgh Road/ Joppa Toilets - EH15 2..
• Adelphi Place - EH15 1BG
• Peffermill Court - Craigmillar Castle Gardens - EH16 4AA
• Newcraighall  - Park View carpark - EH21
• Duddingston Park South, Miners Welfare Car Park - EH15 3LJ

Skip locations map. http://bit.ly/i6JCzc

 

East Neighbourhood Weather Response Update No.18 15:30 Friday - General Situation

 

We will have the contractors working right through the weekend alongside Council staff to tackle as much as possible until we have dealt with all areas.  If the current thaw continues we should make even more rapid progress. However, with the forecast being for very cold weather and snow showers towards the end of next week we are working hard to clear as much ice as possible during this period.    As before if you or anyone in the area has specific concerns about friends, family or neighbours contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324  and staff will arrange appropriate follow up. In the evenings and weekends, contact the out of hours service at 0800 731 6969.    

Weekend Work Plan   The following areas are the priority for the weekend.

1. Peacocktail, Cleekim, Parrotshot, Morton Street South, Queen's Bay Crescent, Brunstane Area, Blackchapel, Wisp Green
2. Abercorn, Northfield
3. Magdalenes (Pavement)
4. Paisley Drive, Lochend
5. Magdalene (Pavements)
6. Niddrie Mains / Craigmillar Castle (Pavements)
7. Grit Dumps : Mountcastle, Duddingston, Southfield Areas
8. Replenish Grit Bins (Done via Roads Central Team)
9. Check Skips
10. Excess/Side Waste & Commercial Bins

Community Action / Grit Dumps The provision of grit dumps in residential areas by Neighbourhood staff is proving popular and this will continue.  Roads Services are putting extra resources into topping up on-street grit bins.    Waste and Refuse Disposal To assist domestic waste collection until a normal refuse collection service can resume we now have large skips situated at the locations below. Residents are encouraged to take any excess bagged waste to these for disposal.  In addition, brown (garden waste) bins should be used for domestic waste also.  It is anticipated to have a full refuse collection service operational from Monday with collections also this weekend if possible.  Recycling containers should be put out as normal but if not collected should be taken back in until the next scheduled collection.

• Marionville Road/ adjacent to old Kwik Fit car park -  EH7 5TX or EH7 5TY
• Greendykes Road/ Drive - EH16 4EY or EH16 4JJ
• Duddingston Park South - EH15 3LJ
• Musselburgh Road/ Joppa Toilets - EH15 2..
• Adelphi Place - EH15 1BG
• Peffermill Court - Craigmillar Castle Gardens - EH16 4AA
• Newcraighall  - Park View carpark - EH21

• Duddingston Park South, Miners Welfare Car Park - EH15 3LJ

Skip locations map. http://bit.ly/i6JCzc

Severe weather response - General Situation 16:30 Thursday 9 December 2010

Firstly I would like to express my appreciation for everyone's patience and acknowledge concerns from residents that their area is gritted or snow cleared soon. No area has been forgotten but with 300 kilometres of roads and pavements in East Neighbourhood I am having to make very difficult decisions on priorities each day. We will have the contractors working right through to next week, including the weekend, alongside Council staff to tackle as much as possible until we have dealt with all areas. We continue to prioritise medical issues, for example, persons requiring cancer treatments or planned operations and I have to divert squads from routine clearance/gritting to deal with these and similar concerns. With the current thaw I know that Roads Services Gritters/Snowploughs will now be able to finish off Category 1 and 2 roads and move to Category 3 (residential streets) also and this will be huge help in speeding progress up.

If you or anyone in the area has specific concerns about friends, family or neighbours I would urge them to contact Social Care direct team at the Council on 0131 200 2324 and staff will arrange appropriate follow up. Email . In the evenings and weekends, contact can be made with the out of hours service at 0800 731 6969.

Squads snow clearance and gritting

1. Squad 1 - Lady Nairne vicinity clearing footways.
2. Squad 2 - Abercorn/ Wosleley and Brand/ Christiansvicinity clearing the ice/ snow and gritting the roads  vicinity.
3. Squad 3 - Working  on the footpath between Magdalene's & Asda (Jewel).
4. Squad 4 - Brunstane , Gilbertstoun  and Diaches Brae areas snow clearance & gritting roads.
5. Squad 5 - Clearing snow/ ice from roads  Brunstane & Gilbertston areas.
6. Taskforce    -      Loganlea and Restalrigs area  Gritting roads and footways
   -      Removing excess waste from street bins
7. Community Safety Concierge - Duddingston Road, Duddingston Road West, 4 No school footways (Holyrood, Duddingston Primary, Portobello High School & St John's)
8. Housing Conceirge -  Dalgety Avenue, Dalgety Street, Dalgety Road, Cambusnethan Street, Wishaw Terrace and Marionville Road   

Roads Gritters/Snowploughs
Gritting is currently being done as follows: Kings Haugh, Peffer Place, Craigmillar Castle Gardens, Castleview Avenue, Castlebrae Wynd/Grove, Castleview Drive, Peffermill Road from Craigmillar Castle Gardens to Craigmillar Castle Loan, Craigmillar Castle Loan, Craigmillar Castle Avenue, Niddrie Mains Road from Craigmillar Castle Avenue to Greendykes Road and back again to Craigmillar Castle Avenue, Greendykes Road from Craigmillar Castle Avenue to Niddrie House Avenue, Niddrie House Avenue (not including cul-de-sacs), Niddrie House Drive (not including side streets), Niddrie Marischal Road from  Niddrie House Drive to Niddrie Mains Road (not including side streets), White Hill Road from Newcraighall roundabout to just before eastern industrial estate.

Community Action
I would encourage local communities to where possible and safe to do so to clear pathways for themselves and neighbours - we are providing as much grit as we can to support this. I am heartened to hear of groups and communities who are doing just that, and I would like to acknowledge and commend these efforts. The provision of grit dumps in residential areas will continue for some time yet.

Waste and Refuse Disposal
To assist domestic waste collection until a normal refuse collection service can resume we now have large skips situated at the locations below. Residents are encouraged to take any excess bagged waste to these for disposal.  In addition, brown (garden waste) bins should be used for domestic waste also.

• Marionville Road/ adjacent to old Kwik Fit car park -  EH7 5TX or EH7 5TY
• Greendykes Road/ Drive - EH16 4EY or EH16 4JJ
• Duddingston Park South - EH15 3LJ
• Musselburgh Road/ Joppa Toilets - EH15 2..
• Adelphi Place - EH15 1BG
• Peffermill Court - Craigmillar Castle Gardens - EH16 4AA
• Newcraighall  - Park View carpark - EH21
• Duddingston Park South, Miners Welfare Car Park - EH15 3LJ

Skip locations map. http://bit.ly/i6JCzc

List of Grit Dump locations update 4

Weather Response Update No.16 from East Neighbourhood - 1700 hrs Wednesday 8 Dec

I hadn't expected some 13 days ago to be still doing this but we are deploying everything we have to deal with snow and ice clearance and gritting. Around 70 staff have been working in our area since early this morning focussing on priority locations - it is important that resources are used in this way to make the most impact locally. Where possible teams will respond to emergency or individual situations however we are receiving calls and requests through a number of channels and our city wide and local co-ordinating teams are managing these requests. I would urge continued patience at this time as I can assure you that staff are working round the clock and are themselves working in very difficult circumstances. Where possible grit bins are being replenished and grit dumps put down for communities to use - see the updated list of 63 locations. This is in addition to 89 grit bins which are being topped up.

I would encourage local communities, if safe to do so, to clear pathways for themselves and neighbours - please refer to the  Scottish Government advice   - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/ready-scotland/Winter/help/pathsanddriveways - on dealing with winter weather. I am heartened to hear of groups and communities who are clearing their local paths and  would like to acknowledge and commend these efforts.

Where there is an urgent medical priority or risk to life and limb then please let us know and we will assess for extra help - this includes such things as attending a scheduled chemotherapry or radiotherapy session, planned operations or medical treatments.

1. Activity for today and tomorrow detailed below.
   Squad 1 - Working around the Lady Nairne vicinity clearing footways
2. Squad 2 - Working around  the Abercorn/ Wosleley and Brands/Christians vicinity clearing the ice/ snow and gritting the roads
3. Squad 3  - Working on the footpath between Magdalene's & Asda (Jewel)
4. Squad 4 - Brunstane & Gilbertstoun Area gritting roads
5. Squad 5 -  Servicing grit dumps and bins
6. Squad 6 - snow clearance and gritting at:

• Hamilton Drive
• Hamilton Park
• Duddingston Road
• Duddingston Road West
• Restalrig Crescent
• Findlay Area - to be continued tomorrow.
• Bus Stops (various)
• Pedestrian Crossings (various)
• St Johns Primary School (pavements)
• Portobello High School (pavements)
• Duddingston Primary School (pavements)
• Holyrood High School (pavements)

Waste Disposal
To assist domestic waste collection until a normal refuse collection service can resume we now have large skips situated at the locations below. Residents are encouraged to take any excess bagged waste to these for disposal.  In addition, brown (garden waste) bins should be used for domestic waste also.

• Marionville Road/ adjacent to old Kwik Fit car park -  EH7 5TX or EH7 5TY
• Greendykes Road/ Drive - EH16 4EY or EH16 4JJ
• Duddingston Park South - EH15 3LJ
• Musselburgh Road/ Joppa Toilets - EH15 2..
• Adelphi Place - EH15 1BG
• Peffermill Court - Craigmillar Castle Gardens - EH16 4AA
• Newcraighall  - Park View carpark - EH21
• Duddingston Park South, Miners Welfare Car Park - EH15 3LJ

The location below is yet to be confirmed:

• Abercorn Crescent - EH8 7HZ

Weather Response Update No.15 from East Neighbourhood - 1550hrs Tuesday 7 Dec

We now have five teams of contractors with equipment working alongside Neighbourhood staff on snow/ice clearance and grit spreading. This is addition to Roads Services gritting and snow ploughing of roads. - still Category 1 and 2 roads at this time. I understand that Category 3 roads (residential streets) will be ploughed and gritted as soon as Category 2 are completed. Activity for today and tomorrow detailed below.

Today

• Squad 1 - working around the Meadowfield/ Lady Nairne vicinity clearing footways.
• Squad 2 - working around  the Abercorn/ Wosleley vicinity clearing the ice/ snow and gritting the roads.
• Squad 3 -  working around the Paisley's clearing snow from footways.
• Squad 4 - refilling grit bins and replenishing  58 No. grit dumps ( grit locations updated list 3).
• Squad 5 - see below.

Core squads are continuing with grit bin replenishment, bus stop clearance, Medical Centre clearance and grit spreading in the Niddrie Mill area. Refuse removal build up is also being done.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 7 December)

• Squads 1- 2 will continue concentrating on locations above over the next 2-3 days.
• Squad 3 - will move across to the Magdalene area and concentrate clearing the walkway/ steps between Magdalene Gardens and Asda at the Jewel. Once this is completed we will move squad onto clearing footway around Magadalene Gardens shops, then move them onto to clearing the footway on Magdalene Drive at Brunstane School.
• Squad 4 and 5 -  will move over to the Gibertston/ Diaches Brae Area to assist the new contractor (Squad 5 ) with snow clearing and gritting of main roads into area. Once the squads are finished at this location it is our intention to move them over to the Christain's/ Brand areas to clear snow and grit roads.

Other

As before please note that priorities for snow clearance and gritting of pavements include routes to school, shopping areas, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, medical centres, sheltered housing complexes and care homes. Requests for gritting and snow clearance outwith these areas can only be done where there is a risk to life and limb or there is an urgent medical priority. Wherever possible we will help with school access (as before) but priorities will be regularly assessed throughout the day.

Weather Response Update No.14 from East Neighbourhood - 1530hrs Monday 6 Dec

As of today we have four teams of contractors (42 staff in total) working across the East Neighbourhood in residential streets on snow clearance. They have a range of mechanical diggers and lorries to assist their work. This is in addition to some 40 Neighbourhood staff who are diverted from normal duties to work on snow clearance and gritting. Given the huge volumes of snow to be removed this exercise is obviously going to take quite some time.

We also have a team dealing with grit bin and grit dumps restocking. We have increased grit dump numbers to 44 and I am hoping to increase again to 58 by tomorrow - this is in addition to the 89 grit bins ( see updated locations list). The public can use this grit where required on pavements and roads. There is a high demand for grit and we will do our best to restock at least once per day.

Please note that priorities for snow clearance and gritting of pavements include routes to school, shopping areas, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, medical centres, sheltered housing complexes and care homes. Requests for gritting and snow clearance outwith these areas can only be done where there is a risk to life and limb or there is an urgent medical priority. Wherever possible we will help with school access (as before) but priorities will be regularly assessed throughout the day.

Refuse collection has been impossible in many parts of the Neighbourhood because of road conditions and blockages caused by abandoned vehicles. We are seeking to have large capacity skips sited at strategic locations to allow the public to dispose of bagged refuse - I will advise on this and other refuse collection options tomorrow.

The snowfall today has been hugely unhelpful to say the least and I am advised that Roads Services Night Shift will start at 1930 hrs and will be double manning gritting vehicle numbers to deal with Category 1 and 2 roads. Category 3 (residential streets) will only be done when the Category 1 and 2 are completed although the contractors are making good progress on snow clearance from residential streets.

The weather forecast (that's the Met Office forecast not mine!) is for no more snow until the weekend with a rise in temperatures to above zero on Friday. This gives us a fighting chance to recover from today.

 

Weather Response Update No.13 from East Neighbourhood - 1320hrs Sunday 5 Dec

Task Force and the contractors are continuing the work started yesterday on snow clearing. This will continue for the foreseeable future. Access to all CEC Schools (Primary and Secondary) have been checked and snow cleared and/or gritted where required. As I understand it at this time there should be no significant access problems to any school in East.

Newcraighall area was snow cleared and gritted yesterday. Access to some residences with urgent medical requirements have been gritted also.

Volunteer East Neighbourhood staff including Community Safety, Environmental Wardens and Housing Officers have been undertaking snow clearance at road crossings and bus stops and any specific immediate priority that arises.

We are starting to see a bit of build up of refuse at some locations and Concierge staff are assisting with removal to prevent a problem developing.

Grit bin restocking and grit dumping is continuing also.

We have add more than 70 people working across East this weekend on these duties. A full assessment of impacts from the weekend working will take place tomorrow morning and priorities will be decided at that point.

Update 12 is in addition to that given at 1545hrs in Update No.11

Volunteer East Neighbourhood staff have completed clearing paths for child access at Newcraighall, Duddingston and St John Joint Campus Primaries and will do St Ninians tomorrow. They will also other do priority areas within Lochend and Craigentinny. This is in addition to the work mentioned below.

Priority will also be given to checking and dealing with access/exit for persons requiring medical attention.

From 0800hrs this morning we have had two teams of contractors, one with a mechanical digger (JCB type) working alongside Task Force and 26 volunteer staff from East Neighbourhood teams. Snow clearance and gritting has commenced from the Meadowfield area which has the highest and steepest streets in the Neighbourhood. The teams are working east and south from that location down the slopes. Additional contractors may be available from Monday and I will advise further.

Tomorrow the contractors wil continue snow clearance street by street and Roads Rervices should move into category 3 (residential streets) also. Task Force will assist with snow clearing and gritting access to schools for Monday and to deal with any emergency or priority access/exit routes. Note: I understand an update on the schools opening situation will be posted on the Council website tomorrow (Sunday) and this should be checked.

The restocking of grit bins and grit dumps (see Update No.10 below) will continue throughout tomorrow and residents or enquirers can be advised of this.

Weather Response Update No.11 from East Neighbourhood - 1320hrs Sunday 5 Dec

From 0800hrs this morning we have had two teams of contractors, one with a mechanical digger (JCB type) working alongside Task Force and 26 volunteer staff from East Neighbourhood teams. Snow clearance and gritting has commenced from the Meadowfield area which has the highest and steepest streets in the Neighbourhood. The teams are working east and south from that location down the slopes. Additional contractors may be available from Monday and I will advise further.

Tomorrow the contractors wil continue snow clearance street by street and Roads Rervices should move into category 3 (residential streets) also. Task Force will assist with snow clearing and gritting access to schools for Monday and to deal with any emergency or priority access/exit routes. Note: I understand an update on the schools opening situation will be posted on the Council website tomorrow (Sunday) and this should be checked.

The restocking of grit bins and grit dumps (see Update No.10 below) will continue throughout tomorrow and residents or enquirers can be advised of this.

Weather Response Update No.10 from East Neighbourhood - 1620hrs Friday 3 December

We have been working hard to get all grit bins in East Neighbourhood restocked and are now also dumping grit for public use at strategic locations. There are 89 grit bins and 28 grit dumps, listed in East Grit Bins. We will continue to restock over the weekend. I append the link to Scottish Government website that offers advice to residents and others on the safe clearance of snow and ice from paths and pavements. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/ready-scotland/Winter/help/pathsanddriveways .

Starting on Saturday (4 December) we will have private contractors working from 0800hrs to clear snow and ice from residential streets - this includes the use of mechanical diggers.

We are also working to ensure safe access on routes to all Primary and High Schools across East for Monday morning.

An additional to 26 Neighbourhood staff have volunteered to work throughout the weekend tackling priority areas.

Roads Services gritters are now working on Category 2 routes and I anticipate Category 3 (residential streets) will be able to be tackled by Monday also, if not before.

We will be continually assessing progress throughout the weekend and will deploy additional resources from Monday if required.

Weather Response Update No.9 from East Neighbourhood - 0730hrs Friday

Now that the snowfall has stopped the focus today will be on snow clearance, grit bin replenishment and grit dumping at strategic locations. We are receiving a high number of requests for grit to be put down but with 300kms of streets in East we have to continue to prioritise critical areas. The situation will be assessed at mid day and I will advise further this afternoon.

All available resources as detailed yesterday at 1500hrs continue to be deployed and extra mechanical equipment will also be available today.

These updates are being circulated widely so please feel free to forward to any interested parties.

Weather Response Update No.8 from East Neighbourhood - 1500hrs Thursday

General Situation

You will know that snow has been falling fairly steadily all day and this means we have to continue with category one and priority areas. Public requests for snow clearance - as you will see from below we have every available member of staff on weather related duties and whilst we will get to residential streets as and when priority areas are dealt with I cannot give any commitment at this time. Weather conditions over the next two days will dictate our ability to do this.

Gritting

12 tonnes put down/spread since Sunday and we will have a further 10 tonnes available for spreading/dumping from tomorrow (Friday). We are re-stocking all grit bins in East Neighbourhood (120 in total). We are also going to dump grit at strategic points (high level ground) in the Meadowfield, Lady Nairne, Northfield and Coillesdene areas (18 locations in total) for public use.

Neighbourhood staff are working as follows:

Community Safety Concierge
Grit transport from Blackford Quarry to East Neighbourhood.

Community Safety Team
Snow clearing at road crossings

Estate Concierge staff
Gritting and snow clearing at Niddrie Farm, Wauchope House, Niddrie Farm Ave, Moira Terrace, Restalrig Gardens andSchool, Restalrig Crescent.

Housing Team
Assisting with general snow clearance including at Blindcraft.

Refuse Collection staff
Gritting at Wauchope and Greendykes areas.

Parks Team
Snow clearing at five Medical Centres using Community Service (offenders).

Task Force (Street Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance)
Bus Stops, Schools, Shop areas, Main roads, Blindcraft Path

Other
We have run out of snow shovels so the workshop has fabricated ad-hoc versions and they are proving excellent.

Weather Response Update No.7 from East Neighbourhood - 0700hrs Thursday 2 December

With more snow falling overnight and forecast to continue throughout the day the priority will continue to be on priority locations only. Service requests will have to be strictly prioritised. All Task Force have been able to report for duty and all vehicles will be mobile once depot access has been cleared.

Route cards have been created for the contractors to replenish all grit bins and this should start first thing today.

Some snowbound vehicles were able to be dug out yesterday afternoon and this will give us more capacity to transport staff where required.

Other Neighbourhood and Council staff will continue to assist with weather operations for the foreseeable future and some other work may be on hold meantime.

Weather Response Update No.6 from East Neighbourhood - 1440hrs Wednesday 1 December

Continuing snowfall is still giving us challenges but we are making headway on a number of fronts.

Contractors have been taken on to do grit bin replenishment and gritting. Priority will also be given to the two Fire Stations and the Ambulance Centre at Peffermill for snow clearance and grit replenishment.

Community Service (offenders) are to be drafted into East Neighbourhood and will be tasked appropriately with snow clearing and gritting duties. Neighbourhood Roads staff volunteered to undertake manual snow clearance around the five Medical Centres in East and this is underway. Refuse Collection staff are being deployed to snow clearance operations until collections can resume safely

The beach cleaning tractor is now being used for snow clearance and snowbound vehicle removals.

Roads Services are clearing snow on Greendykes Road to the large area of vacant land that will be used for snow dumping. Half of the Lady Nairne area was completed yesterday by Task Force and I anticipate that the rest will be completed soon. At Peffer Place the path to the Blind Craft is also being prioritised. The Gilberstoun area has also been gritted by Neighbourhood staff.

Thank you for your patience during this demanding time.

Weather Response Update No.5 from East Neighbourhood - 0700hrs Wednesday 1 December

Heavy overnight snowfall means that everything that was done yesterday will probably have to be repeated and there will be strict prioritisation. Ground conditions at the depot are treacherous and the crews are having to dig out the access road for vehicles first. All Task Force staff bar one have been able to report for duty and other staff will continue to assist as available including Environmental Wardens, Concierge and Park Rangers.

We are liaising with Roads Services regarding category 2 and 3 streets but their focus will have to be firmly on keeping public transport routes open again today and there is likely to be little capacity to deal with other streets.

Work is ongoing to possibly source private contractors with mechanical diggers etc to assist with snow clearance and I will advise further on this.

This level of snowfall is completely unprecedented in my experience and your patience in dealing with service requests continues to be greatly appreciated.

Weather Response Update No.4 from East Neighbourhood 1500hrs Tuesday 30 November

Despite difficult conditions staff have attended to priority locations and dealt with most service requests. The Niddrie Farm area should have gritting completed soon. Lady Nairne area is presenting challenges with vehicles unable to get up the slopes but this will continue to be a focus until it can be dealt with.

I understand that Castlebrae High School is likely to attempt to open tomorrow and we are prioritising gritting of the access road / pavements. I understand that more information on school openings will be available on the Council website later today.

The forecast for this evening is for 120mm of snowfall and this will impact on our ability to attend all locations.

Refuse Collection staff based at Russell Road Depot have agreed to contribute to snow clearing operations and we will make use of this resource as required.

Your continued patience in dealing with enquiries is much appreciated.

Weather Response Update No.3 from East Neighbourhood 0730hrs Tuesday 30 November 2010

All Task Force staff have been able to report for duty and will be assisted by other Neighbourhood staff. Principally they will be engaged on grit spreading and clearing. Underfoot conditions are now treacherous with further snowfall overnight. Although main roads are relatively OK there are significant problems with side streets and capacity to deal with this is limited. There will have to be strict prioritisation of work allocation.

Roads Services will be seeking to use JCBs to clear snow from residential streets and we have identified three possible areas for snow dumping. I will advise further on this as plans are firmed up.

We may only have a skeleton staff at East Neighbourhood Office although staff not able to get there will be working from the nearest Council office to their home if at all possible. Your patience in dealing with enquiries is appreciated.

Weather Update from East Neighbourhood 1430hrs Monday 29 November 2010

The volume of snow and ground conditions continues to cause real difficulties and we are very stretched. Priority locations continue to be addressed where possible and we will make a fresh assessment first thing Tuesday morning. Weather conditions later today and overnight will be a major factor.

Mainlines and bus stops have been targeted although we have had problems with vehicles sliding or getting stuck in snow. Others are having to be diverted to picking up fresh stocks of grit as we are using it as fast as we can get it.

Newcraighall, Gilbertstoun and the steeper streets around Willowbrae will be attended to as soon as possible. Grit bins across the Neighbourhood will similarly be replenished.

Other Neighbourhood staff (non Task Force / Concierge) are assisting wherever possible.

Weather Update from East Neighbourhood 0830hrs Monday 29 November 2010

You'll be aware that the snowfall has been a bit overwhelming since last night. We have a nearly full street cleaning and grounds maintenance crew for snow clearance and we'll assess priority locations throughout the day. Some staff have had to report to other depots because of travel difficulties.

Similarly because of travel difficulties it is likely that we will be short of staff at East Neighbourhood Office although the office is open to the public. Staff who cannot get in will report to their nearest Council office if possible. We will divert staff to weather operations rather than their normal duties to assist where we can.

Weather Update from East Neighbourhood -1130hrs Sunday 28 November 2010

East Neighbourhood Street Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance Crews were doing priority locations all day Saturday and used 5 tonnes of grit and salt (we have another 5 tonnes to be delivered). All grit bins in East were fully loaded earlier this week. Snow clearance will continue but I am assessing the situation with Task Force Manager with heavy snow forecast from 1500hrs onwards. In light of forecast for overnight (heavy snow) we anticipate snow clearance duties only for all day tomorrow. Locations such as Sheltered Housing and access to Schools will receive priority but we will continue to assess the situation given the forecast is for more heavy snow for the next two or three days.