SALT OF THE EARTH: BRIGG IS PREPARED FOR WINTER SNOW & ICE

Chilly spells of late prompt Brigg Blog to remind townsfolk that help is at hand to keep some paths free from snow and ice if the weather turns nasty.
Some years ago the council provided street-side boxes containing salt/grit which can be spread where it's needed by spade or shovel. These are generally located near slopes - examples being on Churchill Avenue and near the inclined access road leading to the Newlands estate from Atherton Way to Almond Grove/Birch Avenue.
Back in the 1960s and 1970s it was commonplace for Brigg residents to 'salt' paths outside their front doors - at their own expense. Many town centre shopkeepers did likewise as a matter of course.
Clearing accumulated snow outside properties was also a task undertaken by many householders and shop staff.

 

Ice alongside the Old River Ancholme in Brigg yesterday, viewed from the top of the A18 bridge.

If the weather becomes particularly wintry, Brigg Town Council has a snow warden on stand-by to help co-ordinate measures to clear snow and ice, working in conjunction with the North Lincolnshire authority.
North Lincs is responsible for gritting major roads and also deploys lorries to some suburban routes.
In December 2018 we reported that, in the run up to winter, North Lincolnshire Council was supporting town and parish councils to get ready for wintry weather.
"The council runs a Snow Warden scheme, allowing appointed people to be the eyes and ears of their parish in bad weather and advise the council on the state of the roads and footpaths," we revealed.
"The council also has a dedicated budget, made available to town and parish councils in adverse weather conditions, to help them fund snow and ice clearance in their towns and villages."
Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, as Leader of the unitary authority, met local snow wardens. He said: “The Snow Warden scheme is way we can use local knowledge to keep North Lincolnshire moving when bad weather hits. This volunteer role is vital to helping us keep main routes clear and I want to thank them for the work they do as our eyes and ears in their communities.
“Residents know their towns and villages best, so by making this special winter budget available in bad weather to our town and parish councils, they can make sure the resources are where they need to be to effectively deal with ice and snow.”
Brigg Blog added a footnote: "North Lincolnshire Council has already made it clear that Brigg town centre will be a priority area when it comes to clearing ice and snow and putting down salt to make life easier for pedestrians and traders. Hopefully, the teams of workers won't be called upon too often between now and next April. But you never know."

PICTURED: A well-stocked salt bin on the edge of the Newlands estate yesterday (Sunday, January 24); heavy snow falling on King's Avenue during a spell of particularly wintry weather in January 2012; council workers dealing with snow and ice in the Market Place some years ago; and a volunteer removing snow with a shovel outside Wetherspoon's White Horse pub in 2018.