Extreme weather conditions

How to keep yourself and others safe during the summer and winter months.

Contents

Cold weather and snow

Remember to regularly check the weather and local news reports for updates and possible service disruptions.

Looking after yourself and others

Please prepare ahead of any cold, snowy or icy weather.  Make sure you have any medication you need and check up on any elderly, or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours. 

Useful information can be found on the following sites:

During extremely cold weather, our teams are out supporting people who are sleeping on the streets. If you're concerned about a rough sleeper, you can report their location to StreetLink; the local response service, Croydon Reach, will get them appropriate help and support.

Find out more about the support we offer when severe weather emergency protocols (SWEPs) are issued.

Schools

Schools may close if it becomes too cold. You can see if your child’s school is closed on the OpenCheck website.

You can also check your school's social media accounts or contact the school directly.

Water leaks and burst pipes

Water leaks are always a hazard but can be worse during freezing temperatures.  If you do see a leak, please report it as soon as you can. Details of who is responsible for what kind of leak or flood can be found on our flooding pages.

Useful contacts for burst water mains and sewage are:

Council tenants with frozen pipes

If you're experiencing frozen pipes, you can find advice and help on our housing repairs page.

Salt and gritting

There is no difference between grit and salt; both terms are interchangeable.

Roads that are gritted

We grit about 30% of the roads in Croydon, view the routes and find out more on our road gritting pages.

Find your nearest grit bin

You can find the locations of all of the grit bins in the borough on our road gritting pages.

Do not use the salt in these bins for your own driveway as supplies are limited and these stocks are intended to help keep public roads and footpaths safe.

Refill of empty salt bins

Salt bins will be replenished as soon as is practicably possible.

Clearing snow from a road, path or cycleway

If you would like to, you can help us by clearing snow from a road, path or cycleway.  Here is some useful information from the Met Office and Gov.UK websites:

Waste and recycling

Effect on collection days

We will keep to scheduled collections where it is safe to do so, however, the severe weather can make many collections difficult.

If your bin has not been collected

Please leave it out and it will be picked up as soon as it is safe to do so.

Missing recycling box and recycling box lids, food caddy, and refuse bins

You can order a new bin online or by calling 020 8726 6200.

Report a missed collection

The best way to report any missed collection (recycling, landfill, food waste or textiles) is online.

Libraries

Changes to opening hours

Libraries may have shorter opening hours, please contact them before visiting. View our library information pages.

Late returns on library books 

You will not be expected to pay fines on overdue items if a library has had to close due to snow.

If the library is open but you cannot get to it due to snow, you can renew your library books online.

You can also ring the library to renew, or visit another Croydon library to return your books if it is easier for you.

Parking

If you cannot access your parked or abandoned car

If there is snow on the ground and road markings cannot be seen then no penalty charge notice (PCN) would be issued. If your vehicle is issued a PCN whilst there is snow, you have the right to appeal.

If you are unable to renew your permit in person

You can now renew or apply for a parking permit online at parking permits services.