BEPTON Parish Resilience Plan: 2020/21
- This plan is designed to provide a framework for a Parish based
approach to deal with severe winter conditions as experienced in
2009/10, and similar emergencies.
What are the objectives of the Plan? - To enable people in Bepton to access and continue to use the
roads in the event of heavy snowfall or obstruction from fallen trees. - To ensure best possible access by emergency services.
Identified Key Risks and Hazards - In times of extreme weather conditions, the disruptions are from:
Hazardous road conditions and blockage of roads because of snow
and ice on:
Primary routes: Bepton Road, Severals Road, Bugshill/Bell
Lane access points.
Steep inclines and at junctions
Fallen trees (all roads)
Fallen power cables (limited)
Severed telephone cables
Power failures resulting in loss of electricity supply and thus loss of
heating and cooking facilities, access to sources of information (e.g.
the internet) and lighting
Telecoms disruption (land line & cellular) resulting in loss of
communication
WSCC Offer - The WSCC Offer is as set out in their document ‘Supporting Local
Community Winter Plans 2020/21′. - In brief, the Offer is that WSCC would grit those roads, in the
Precautionary Network. Bepton Parish Council have identified Bepton
Road, Severals Road, Bugshill Lane and Bell Lane as local priority. ACS
Services will undertake precautionary salting/gritting, and, if necessary,
clearance of them because of a WSCC notification of a significant snow
event. A map of the roads accompanies this plan.
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Bepton Parish – Resilience Plan 2020/21 - WSCC will also provide £35 per hour towards the local contractor
(ACS Services) to clear snow because of a significant snow event, from
the roads identified in paragraphs 4 & 6 of this plan. Note ACS charge
out rate is £85 per hour for the first hour and £45 thereafter, the shortfall
will be payable by Bepton PC. - If the Parish Council decided to ask a contractor to do any further
gritting or snow clearing that was not agreed by WSCC, the cost would
fall to the Parish Council. Similarly, the cost of any new salt or grit bags
would fall to Bepton Parish Council. We currently have no salt or grit
bags in Bepton. The approved local contractor for Bepton is ACS Ltd. - People are encouraged to work together to clear the necessary
routes and give access for those less able to help themselves. - Owners of four-wheel drive vehicles are encouraged to give
assistance wherever and in whatever way possible. Drivers should have
regard to the nature of the road and weather conditions and always
consider safety first.
Fallen Trees - Bepton has several heavily wooded areas. In extreme high winds
or heavy snow conditions, trees may be brought down causing
blockages to roads or pulling down overhead power and
telecommunication lines. The utilities will normally be aware as soon as
this happens and take the necessary action, but residents should check
that this is the case. - Often oaks or pines heavily laden with ivy vines are the first to
succumb when there are snow /severe gales. Some residents take
preventative action by cutting the ivy vines to avoid this as it causes the
leaves to then drop. - If a fallen tree interferes with power or telecom lines the
appropriate utility supplier should be contacted so that any
risk/clearance is managed by them. Where the tree is blocking the road
or is on a highway verge the West Sussex Highways Dept. should be
contacted.