Remote villages rescued by Bury Council

All stops were pulled out last night by Bury Council’s Winter Maintenance team to keep the Borough’s key roads moving and rescue remote villages. Affetside and Nangreaves village would have been isolated today if it wasn’t for the team working through the night in arctic conditions.

The photo illustrates the challenges the team faced to clear the road leading into Nangreaves and you can watch the teams in action here (filmed on a mobile phone)

Carl Nieland, Duty Officer last night, said: “Because the snow drift accumulations were so deep and high even our gritter with a plough attached couldn’t cut through - it took a robust vehicle like a JCB to clear the way. It really was a team effort with the guys working alongside the machinery, physically shovelling snow to the side whilst the JCB cut its path through for the gritter to finish the job off.”

Glenn Stuart, Head of Waste Management, said: “The men have been absolutely incredible – working in atrocious conditions day and night to keep Bury safe. Thankfully the weather looks set to calm down, but we are on standby to protect our communities should it turn again.”

The Council’s Tree Team were also out until after midnight making roads and pathways safe that were affected by damaged trees.

For further information please contact Rachel Wallace at r.wallace@bury.gov.uk