With a cold snap predicted over the coming days, local people, volunteer and community groups can take advantage of free equipment to help clear snow in Dudley borough.

Dudley Council provides local people as well as voluntary groups with shovels, salt spreaders, high-visibility vests, bags of special salt and advice on snow clearing, under its snow busters initiative.

Dudley council has a team of 40 gritters who work in shifts around the clock to monitor the weather for any expected plunge in temperatures or snowfall and to help keep almost 300 miles of roads clear.

The snow busters scheme is designed to help people, along with voluntary groups who want to clear pathways, pavements and pedestrian areas during periods of bad weather and heavy snowfall in order to reach and support vulnerable people. Last winter over 200 packs were issued to residents who committed to help others in their area. Councillor Cathryn Bayton, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

"Volunteer groups play a vital role in helping us to reach vulnerable people when it snows and last year’s extreme winter the snow busters scheme brought together communities and individuals. I hope lots of people will help us make the scheme a success this winter whatever the weather may entail.”

Councillor John Martin, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Highway, added:

"When the snow and ice arrives Dudley Council works around the clock to grit the network. People can be assured that we will work hard throughout the winter in order to help keep the borough moving.”

Dudley Council’s Weather Watch page can be found at dudley.gov.uk and is packed full of key information including gritting routes, school closures, bin collections and council services affected by the weather. People are also able to get the latest updates by listening to Black Country Radio throughout the day, with school closures being made available both on air and online.

People who are interested in becoming a Snowbuster can contact the council’s winter warmth service to get their kit, by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.