Everyone in Westmorland and Furness is encouraged to join the council in gearing up for the colder months as a part of our ‘We are winter ready, are you?’ campaign.
Following preparations that began in early spring, the council’s services are ready to keep residents safe, moving and supported this winter.
The campaign reflects the council’s winter travel and weather preparations, and up-to-date public health information and guidance.
Westmorland and Furness Highways are reviewing local forecasting data three times each day and are ready to proactively respond to incoming weather. A fleet of gritters are on standby following a full service and test run, 12,000 tonnes of grit is stockpiled in depots, and over 2,000 grit bins replenished across the area.
Two new remotely-operated "adverse weather" signs have been installed and commissioned at Wrynose Pass and on the B6276 between Brough and Middleton-in-Teesdale. The signs can be activated remotely by the duty manager to display "Road Closed – Adverse Weather" during severe weather events.
These locations have historically presented significant operational challenges during periods of severe weather due to their exposure and importance within the network.
Meanwhile, as part of ongoing improvements to the council's winter maintenance infrastructure, a major upgrade to the weather station at Dunmail Raise is currently underway and is expected to be fully operational in November.
Situated on one of the highest and most weather-sensitive sections of the network, the enhanced station will provide more accurate and reliable real-time weather data to support winter decision-making throughout the season.
To protect the most vulnerable in communities, free vaccinations have been offered through the NHS to all care home residents and the council’s workforce including those providing care and education provision.
If you're eligible for a free flu vaccine, don't put it off. Getting vaccinated can help reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalisation if you catch flu this winter.
Check your flu vaccine eligibility and book today.
It is important for residents and businesses to also get winter ready by understanding the risks, planning and preparing for any severe weather, particularly heavy frost, snow and flooding.
Winter Ready seeks to ensure people have the right information, advice and guidance at their fingertips. Key messaging from partner authorities such as Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, the Lake District Safety Group, Environment Agency and others will be shared to help encourage residents to get ready for winter too.
Through the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum, the council also works with partner agencies including emergency services, Environment Agency and NHS to keep Cumbria safe, prepared, and resilient during severe weather.
Together, we plan and prepare for flooding, cold weather and other adverse winter weather to make sure our response is coordinated, effective, and focused on keeping people safe.
The CLRF website has lots of useful advice about preparing for the worst.
The Winter Ready campaign provides advice and assistance on everything you need to know to help you be prepared and to get winter ready, including:
- Winter travel – how to stay safe and keep up to date with road and weather information.
- The latest information, guidance and support available to people regarding flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Emergency planning – advice on how to find out if you are at risk from flooding and how to be prepared.
- General health advice – staying well this winter.
- Information and advice about ‘warm spots’ and support for Cost of Living.
Westmorland and Furness Council is supporting local residents in a number of ways this winter. The Crisis Resilience Fund makes one-off emergency crisis payments for low-income households who have experienced a sudden financial problem, such as an unexpected bill or loss of income, are available this winter.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund can also be used to provide financial support for residents who rely on domestic heating oil and are experiencing financial hardship due to rising costs.
There is also advice on our website about keeping your home and yourself warm. If you are struggling to feed yourself or your family, there are support options from free food and activities during the school holidays to a network of food outlets across the area.
Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT said: “This weekend has reminded us that the winter months can bring many challenges for us all.
"Being prepared and winter ready makes all the difference when the worst happens and I urge everyone to think about taking some simple steps to prepare. Have you thought about what you would do if your power was to go off for two or three days as has happened in some of our communities? Now is the time to think about these things and the Winter Ready page on our website is a great place to start."