Extra help for homeless as Sussex prepares for chilly night
Meanwhile gritters are ready to hit the roads to deal with icy stretches
Support is being stepped up to help rough sleepers in parts of Sussex, as temperatures take a dip over the next few days.
With the mercury likely to drop as low as 1 degree celsius on Thursday night (November 25th), Adur and Worthing Councils have put their Severe Weather Emergency Protocols into place.
It means that anyone who is rough sleeping in the areas will be offered accommodation.
Adur and Worthing Councils have said that in the last six weeks, the number of people rough sleeping locally has risen significantly.
It comes as the fallout from the COVID pandemic continues, with more people presenting as homeless following the end of the eviction ban last month.
A spokesperson for Adur & Worthing Councils said:
“Everyone who is currently rough sleeping has been offered accommodation during the cold spell.
"Our staff will also continue to be out and about ensuring that vulnerable individuals are directed to relevant services.
Businesses and residents are also encouraged to play their part. This includes connecting rough sleepers to local support services via Streetlink which sends reports directly to local teams.”
Meanwhile, gritters are set to hit the roads of East Sussex for the first time this winter tonight to help motorists tackle difficult stretches of road.
The 23-strong team - all named by local children - are being dispatched onto A roads, B roads and C roads across the county as part of an exercise known as Operation Snowdrop.
Around 10,000 tonnes of salt has been stored for the winter season.
Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said:
“A lot of hard work and careful planning goes into our winter service to make sure that our highways team is ready to spring into action and make sure our roads remain clear during cold weather.
“Snow and ice can bring the county to a standstill and pose a danger to drivers, so it’s vital that we are ready to deal with any weather the season brings.
“Our gritter drivers work tirelessly throughout the winter to keep roads as clear as possible, but even treated roads can still freeze at very cold temperatures. It’s important that drivers take extra care on the roads in wintry weather and consider whether their journey is necessary, particularly if the weather becomes severe.
“I would urge motorists to please check the weather forecast before travelling, and to make sure they are prepared for any emergency situations by keeping winter essentials in their car such as de-icer, a blanket, a shovel and a mobile phone.”
Any problems on the roads can be reported by contacting the highways contact centre on 0345 60 80 193.