Much of Wales experienced heavy snowfall on Friday and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is urging residents, especially motorists to stay safe in the snow!

The ongoing inclement weather continues to cause significant disruption to highways and Council services across the County Borough and conditions are set to continue and worsen over the weekend and in to Monday, due to freezing temperatures and a risk of further snow showers and ice.

People are urged to be on their guard, to check the latest conditions and arrangements before venturing outside and to ensure they take extreme caution when out and about, especially if they are driving.

Latest updates on Council services from across Rhondda Cynon Taf - This page will be updated in live time and information on Home to School Transport and School Closures will appear as soon as a decision is made. This is expected to be during late Sunday afternoon/evening and in to Monday morning.

ALL Refuse and Recycling collections for Monday 21st January have been suspended so that operatives can be redeployed to refill the County Borough's Grit bins.
The majority of main roads and bus routes are open and the focus will now be on all other routes, which will be treated as soon as possible over the weekend. Medical emergencies and secondary schools are being dealt with as a priority due to exams taking place next week. Residents can be reassured that the Council will get to their areas as soon as possible.
With the forecasted freezing temperatures set to last until next week the Council is reassuring parents and pupils that every effort will be made to provide Home to School Transport on Monday 21st of January. Pupils and parents are asked to keep a close eye on this page of the website for updates. A decision will be made following analysis of the specialist highways weather forecast that the Council receives on a daily basis. On Sunday once this has been received and consideration given to the existing conditions on the network then a decision will be made about Monday’s transport.
ALL Schools are now closed for the weekend. As always the decision to close a school due to inclement weather is made, at all times, by the headteacher and governing body. All schools self-populate the school closures web page - ensuring parents and pupils have the latest information on their school. Information will be available regarding Monday 21st January on these pages from Sunday evening/night.
The Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos Mountain Roads remain closed until they are deemed safe for motorists, which is unlikely to be before Monday morning – this situation will be monitored closely with regular updates appearing on this page.
Grit bins are currently being restocked and residents are advised not to stock pile grit and ensure that their footpaths and roads are treated before using the supplies for their own properties.
The Council is also asking local farmers to come forward and assist them in the clearing of snowfall where possible. Please call 01443 425001 if you are able to assist.
Please visit Cwm Taf Health Boards website for information on appointments and operations.
All Council Office buildings are now closed for the weekend, including One4All Centres, except those dealing with the inclement weather and those who provide emergency assistance. However residents are reminded that emergencies can be handled via 425011.
For information on Leisure Centres and Libraries please contact your local centre/library.
Information and advice on burials and cremations planned to take place on Monday will be available on this page from late Sunday afternoon.
For information on Public Transport, running across Rhondda Cynon Taf, residents are advised to contact the relevant companies directly - Traveline Cymru, Arriva Trains Wales, Stagecoach, BBC Travel
Streetcare officers are continuing to work throughout the County Borough, delivering regular treatment of the roads network, constantly patrolling and monitoring and undertaking additional treatments where needed and, importantly, responding to community concerns and needs and changing weather conditions.

The latest information available on the predicted weather is also being used to continue to make critical decisions around issues such as school closures, road closures, home to school transport and the delivery of frontline service.

The key focus of all decisions is on protecting communities, especially the elderly and the vulnerable and working confidently and robustly to maintain, where possible, services as usual.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services said:

"Following the significant amount of snowfall experienced during Friday and the continued freezing temperatures experienced over the weekend, residents are urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

"Abandoned cars and inconsiderate parking on main roads continues to hamper snow ploughs and I would ask drivers who have to leave their cars to consider carefully where they are left and to move them as soon as it is safe to do so.

"Thanks to the dedicated teams who have been gritting our highways throughout the day and night on Friday and Saturday the majority of main roads and bus routes are open and all efforts are now being made to clear side streets and ensure that secondary schools are open for exam week, next week. Additional staff have been drafted in to assist Highways teams in snow clearance of town centres, medical facilities, nursing homes, day centres etc.

"Residents can be assured all available Council resources are being deployed to assist the Councils Highways Teams over the next few days and we have also appealed for farmers with front loader's and ploughs who maybe able to assist to contact the Council."

"However, with more snowfall forecast followed by continued cold weather, residents are urged to take reasonable precautions and take heed of the warnings issued and avoid all but the most essential travel during the weekend."

Those who have elderly friends, family members and neighbours are urged to check on them to ensure they are safe and to visit this website for the latest updates, including weather conditions, road closures, school closures and other useful information.

Find out the latest information, including school closures and the road situation, which includes a map of the essential road network on this website, follow us on twitter or if you are experiencing and emergency call 425011.

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/educationlearning/schoolscolleges/schoolterm...

http://www.traveline-cymru.info/snow/

http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/news/imagegalleries/twitter-pics-snow-day-20...