The Council and Veolia are looking for local residents to support their local community by signing the Snow Wardens pledge on Saturday 18 November and committing to grit local pavements and driveways.
In a city with streets stretching over 320km, Veolia concentrate their gritting activities in busy shopping areas and roads with schools, medical facilities or steep hills. For those smaller streets in residential areas, the Council is on the lookout for volunteer Snow Wardens to help keep their pavements safe for their neighbours.
Free gritting equipment is available to Southend residents and the packs which include salt grit, snow shovels and high-visibility jackets, will be available for collection from 8am to 4pm on Saturday 18 November at at the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Stock Road (Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5QF).
Veolia staff will be on hand to distribute the supplies to residents, who must bring proof of an address within the City. Existing Snow Wardens can also come down and refill their stock.
Stuart Atkinson, senior contract manager for Veolia, said: "We are delighted to be, once again, supporting Southend residents who are keen to give a little bit of their time to look after their community and neighbourhood when the temperatures drop.
"Over 70 residents have already joined the scheme since 2018 and we are looking forward to welcoming new volunteers to our Stock Road HWRC on Saturday.”
Councillor Meg Davidson, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, added: "Please consider joining Southend's dedicated and growing team of Snow Wardens in making a real impact this season. By taking the Snow Warden's pledge, you're not just gritting pavements and driveways, you're safeguarding the safety of your neighbours.
"Let's work together to keep our streets safe and accessible. Join us on 18 November, and let's make a difference!”
Snow wardens pledge to:
- use their supplies for the benefit of the wider community
- adhere to the council's advisory information sheet ‘The Snow Code’
- provide their email address to receive council updates and provide confirmation of community activity they have undertaken
- check and report on local salt grit bins that need refilling
Further information, including a map of grit bins in the city can be found on our Adverse weather pages.