With Christmas around the corner and another big freeze upon us, local shops are getting in extra supplies of milk and other essentials in anticipation of the 'challenges' ahead. The police have been warning motorists to carry a blanket, hot drink and snow shovel in case they get stranded, and asking residents to keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours. For the residents of Caterham-on-the-Hill, their Parish Council has ordered ten new salt-bins which are due to be delivered today and filled next week. Hopefully we will not witness the scene photographed in Caterham High Street during the winter of 1946-7, posted on the Caterham Facebook wall this week by local resident, Clare Addison.

In response to a complaint by a local resident about Surrey County Council's response to the last snow-fall, Sally Marks, Surrey County Councillor for Caterham Valley, said: "I know that many people think that various salting routes were not done because the new 'variety' of salt is nearly invisible - it is a 'wet' solution which people do not recognise. The salting vehicles driven by very hardy personnel in the appalling weather were out doing their work throughout the bad times - 24 hours a day. Added to this a local farmer was also out helping, on behalf of Surrey. In fact there were some truly heroic efforts by many. I recognise that you are very frustrated by the recent events but in my experience Surrey's officers do try their best to deal with the bad weather in the very best way possible. Surrey Highways does indeed take full regard of the weather forecasts - this last episode was an extreme one which was made worse by the following quick thaw and then freezing conditions. It is fair to say that we have not had weather like that for decades. Now that more snow is forecast we have to hope that we do not have a repeat of the severity of the last fall."

Below is information taken from the Surrey County Council website explaining how they prioritise road-salting. More snow and ice advice can be viewed by clicking on the Roads and Transport link at www.surreycc.gov.uk

How we prioritise roads

As we have limited budgets and a total of 4,800km of road network that can't be treated all at the same time, we have to prioritise in the following way:

Priority 1

To be treated, as routine pre-salting, in advance of any forecast frost, ice, or snow. Salting routes in Surrey

▪ roads that carry the heaviest traffic

▪ roads linking centres of population

▪ to all 'A', 'B' roads and other roads carrying more than the 12,000 vehicles per day main access routes to Accident and Emergency and acute hospitals

▪ major bus routes

▪ roads that link gritting routes with those of adjoining counties.

Priority 2

To be treated only when there is prolonged and persistent frost, ice or snow which is expected to continue, or following snow but only once priority 1 routes have been cleared. Salting routes in Surrey. roads with traffic flows greater than 5,000 vehicles per day

▪ main access routes to important industrial and secondary education establishments

▪ single access points to villages

▪ access road/s leading to other hospitals, ambulance stations, railway stations

▪ roads used by other bus routes and depots

▪ steep hazardous gradients and over bridges where known local icing conditions occur.

Pavements are not routinely treated. However, when there is prolonged and persistent frost, ice or in the event of snow, we would try to clear pavements in towns and those areas serving hospitals as a priority.

Areas that would not be gritted include residential roads, pavements, alleyways, car parks and private property unless they are on the priority list above.