Forecast failed to alert gritters to snow (From Oxford Mail)

Forecast failed to alert gritters to snow

9:30am Monday 18th March 2013 in News

A COSTLY forecasting service is to be reviewed by Oxfordshire County Council after an unexpected snowfall over the weekend.

Deputy leader Rodney Rose, who is responsible for transport, said the council was not warned about yesterday’s snow in detailed forecasts it pays the Met Office to supply.

He said: “We had no warning. Until our temperature sensors started going down, we knew nothing about the snow. Luckily we put the gritters out on to the roads at about 5am.

“We do pay quite a lot to get specific forecasts for Oxfordshire.

Mr Rose – who would not say how much the service costs – added: “I will be reviewing the service, as we do with all the services which cost the taxpayer money.”

After heavy rain on Saturday, the Environment Agency has issued flood alerts on the rivers Ray, Thames, Thame, Ock and Cherwell.