Snow and ice

View information on local and national weather conditions on the Met Office website

Salting roads and footpaths

Hampshire County Council is responsible for salting most roads and footpaths.

Issues and faults can be reported on Hampshire County Council's website
Salt (grit) bin enquiries can be submitted on Hampshire County Council's website - including requesting a salt bin or having a salt bin refilled.
View the Hampshire County Council's gritting routes

We assist the county council where possible by targeting the following areas for salting:

footways in/around the town centre
local shopping centres
footpaths in the vicinity of elderly/disabled accommodation

We are also responsible for treating:

Basingstoke town centre and council-owned car parks
the civic offices and car parks
Worting Road Cemetery
the Leisure Park
Basingstoke train station (front and access roads)
Down Grange and Stratton Park entrance road
Chute House
Ambulance station access road

On completion of the above we will liaise with the county council and coordinate resources to other key areas within the borough including schools, elderly care homes and medical centres.

Housing associations will clear the public areas around their properties. Contact VIVID on 0800 652 0898 or Sovereign Housing Association on 0300 5000 926.

Latest updates on our services

Keep up to date on the latest cold weather response and information on council services at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council X (formerly Twitter) page or Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Facebook page.

Further information

Advice and useful information in snow and icy conditions

Travel information

The following websites may help you:

ROMANSE website - road traffic and travel information for Hampshire, including traffic cameras.
National Highways website - real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads. You can also listen to Traffic Radio broadcast on DAB radio or call 0300 123 5000.
The AA website and the RAC website also provide road traffic and travel information.
South Western Railway website - details of cancellations and the latest rail travel news.
Stagecoach Bus website - details of cancellations and the latest bus travel news. Newbury and District buses can be contacted by telephoning 01635 33855.

School closures

Check the school closures page on Hampshire County Council's website.

Driving in poor conditions

When snow or ice is forecast, road users are warned to make essential journeys only. If you feel that you must travel during severe conditions there are some simple steps that can reduce the risk of being caught out by the weather. All drivers should

carry out simple vehicle checks before they set out
carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicle, containing an ice scraper and de-icer, a torch, warm clothes and a blanket, a pair of boots, a first-aid kit, battery jump leads, a spade if it's likely to snow and food and drink
monitor the traffic and weather conditions and plan their journeys

The Institute of Advanced Motorists website gives specific advice on driving in snow and ice. More information on safe winter driving is available on the GOV UK website and on the AA website and the RAC website.

Keeping warm

General advice on keeping warm and healthy in winter weather is available from the NHS website.

Specific advice for older residents is on the Age UK website.

Advice for frozen or burst pipes

If your pipes have frozen:

Turn off the water supply at the stop tap
Slowly thaw the pipe with hot water bottles or a towel soaked in hot water, starting at the end nearest to the tap. Never use a naked flame or blowtorch

If your pipes have burst

Turn off the stop tap
Open all taps to drain the system quickly
Soak up/block off escaping water with thick towels
Call a qualified plumber. To find your nearest WaterSafe accredited plumber visit the WaterSafe website.
If water has leaked near your electrics or into any electrical appliances, switch them off at the mains
Turn off taps once the pipework is repaired to avoid further flooding

Volunteering to help out in the snow

We encourage our residents to be good neighbours during the snow and check on those in your community that might need extra help during snow and icy conditions. A number of organisations arrange volunteering schemes.

For more information on clearing snow and ice safely, please visit the GOV.UK website.

Essential supplies

Anybody needing help with medical prescriptions or shopping for essential supplies during prolonged bad weather should contact their local community centre or parish council. Visit our Parish Council page for contact information.

Snow and Ice