Severe Weather
Winter conditions in Dalton Square, Lancaster
Information and advice about how to keep safe and on the move during periods of severe weather in the Lancaster district.
Follow us on Twitter for local updates and use the links below for county-wide information and reports.
Lancashire County Council services: Get live updates from Lancashire County Council on gritting, school closures and county-wide winter services (Twitter feed)
Gritting
Gritting in Lancashire is the responsibility of Lancashire County Council, except for motorways and trunk roads, which are the responsibility of the Highways Agency.
For advice on getting around in winter weather, download the winter advice leaflet (PDF 824K).
Gritting routes: View a map of precautionary salt (gritting) routes in Lancashire
For further information see the Lancashire County Council page for Gritting and their Winter in Lancashire page.
Transport and travel news updates
BBC Radio Lancashire provide real-time information on incidents and disruptions on our roads and public transport.
Severe weather forecasts
Check for severe weather warnings in the north west at the Met Office severe weather warning page
School closures
School education in Lancashire is provided by Lancashire County Council. For details of any unavoidable school closures due to severe weather, visit their school closures page.
Clearing snow and ice
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful - don’t make pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured.
Follow the snow code to make sure you clear pathways safely and effectively.
You can buy grit for your paths and driveways from B&Q, Wickes, Homebase and builders' merchants.
Emergency contact details
See our emergency contact details page for information on how to contact the emergency services, public utilities and other public service agencies.
Keeping warm
Find out some simple things you can do to keep warm healthy and make the best use of your heating at home.
Staying warm in winter (Directgov website)
If you have reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter.
Winter Fuel Payment (Directgov website)
You can get free, impartial and expert advice about making your home more energy efficient from your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre.
Local energy saving advice (Energy Saving Trust website)
Health and wellbeing
During winter more people get ill or are injured than at other times of the year. The NHS has produced some top tips on keeping fit and healthy, including advice on beating the flu.
Preparing for winter - advice from the NHS
Winter brings with it long and dark nights, the perfect feeding ground for burglars. Make sure you've taken steps to protect yourself and your property. Lancashire Police have put together some top tips . Crime prevention advice from Lancashire Constabulary (PDF 138k).
Help Direct have compiled a list of local shops who deliver food and groceries, perfect for people who may not be able to leave their home due to treacherous conditions. You can download the leaflet (PDF 75K) and pass it on to any relatives or neighbours who might find is useful.
If your plumbing or central heating needs attention then Help Direct's Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a reliable company. For more information telephone 0303 333 1111 or email askus@loc.helpdirectlancs.org.uk.