LOCAL contractors are to be used to help clear roads and pavements in Wellington in the event of extreme snow and icy weather.

Wellington Town Council’s emergency committee recently met to discuss arrangements which would be put in place to ease hardship for people in bad weather over the winter months.

Somerset County Council had informed councillors it was making changes to its road gritting scheme which meant that two peripheral roads in the Wellington area would not be gritted, unless there were prolonged icy conditions, at Ford Street and Pinksmoor Road just outside Rockwell Green.

A report which went before the town council earlier this month said that permission and approval would be needed by the Highways Authority to use independent contractors.

A number of areas in Wellington are to be treated as ‘priority’ by the town council’s contractors although some flexibility will be needed to deal with any situation which might arise in adverse weather and dependent on funds available.

Town centre pavements and local care homes will be prioritised for helping to keep safe and clear of snow and ice.

Other areas for priority measures are Howard Road at the junction with Brendon Road; Churchfields at the junction with Longforth Road; North Street car park access; Wellesley Park at the junction with Ashford Road; Rockwell Green, Oaken Ground and the approaches from Westford to the railway bridge; Lodge Close; and the junction of Priory and Buckwell.

The town council will contact the Highways Authority to find out the arrangements for clearing Longforth Road and Brendon Road for use by vehicles going to and from Relyon.

The town council’s priority areas will be the same as in previous years – slopes and hills or care homes where access has proved difficult because of snow in the past.