PREPARATIONS are underway by the council to deal with plunging temperatures as sleet and snow is forecast from tonight.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for snow for Basingstoke, expected to cause some travel disruption on the roads and railway lines, as Storm Darcy is set to bring strong winds and heavy snow to the southeast. 

It warns that some rural communities could become cut off and that power cuts may affect services such as mobile phone coverage.

Hampshire’s highways teams are preparing for the freezing temperatures, and the potential of snow settling in the north east of the county.

Teams are out treating the roads ahead of the cold spell, prioritising routes to Covid testing and vaccination sites.

Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “With widespread frost and ice forecast, our winter teams are setting out to treat the roads across the county, continuing through the cold snap.

“As well as the main roads, they will be salting routes to Covid testing and vaccination sites, and, ahead of Monday morning, treating Hampshire’s extra ‘Community routes’ which are roads to health centres, community facilities and smaller schools.

“The weather forecast is indicating a very cold few days ahead of us with ice and frost, so I would ask anyone making an essential journey or taking a walk to take extra care. If footways are icy, everyone can help in their neighbourhoods by using the salt bins provided for community use.”

Gritters, fitted with snow ploughs, will remain on 24-hour standby throughout the weekend and into next week, completing salting runs to keep the main roads clear.

Around 135 farmers who have an arrangement with the county council are also ready with snow ploughs to help clear routes in rural areas.

During the cold spell, Councillor Judith Grajewski, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for public health, is urging people to take simple measures to stay warm, as well as keeping an eye on neighbours, relatives or people who are vulnerable to the cold.

Councillor Grajewski said, “This year, as we continue to spend more time at home, we all need to stay warm during the severe cold weather but it’s particularly important for the elderly, the very young and those with long-term health conditions for whom the cold carries particular risks. Winter weather increases risk of falls, heart attack and respiratory diseases, for example, but there are plenty of steps you can take to keep well.”

Simple advice is to:

• Heat your home to at least 18C (65F) if you can or just your main living room

• Keep moving indoors and avoid sitting still for longer than an hour

• Wear plenty of layers to keep warm

• If you need to go out wear a hat, gloves and a scarf wrapped round your mouth to avoid breathing in cold air

• Food helps to keep you warm, try to have a hot meal at least once a day and hot drinks

• Check on elderly relatives or neighbours daily and help with essential shopping so that they are not exposed to cold or icy conditions

• Stay connected safely by contacting a GP or pharmacist if you need to, keeping in touch with family and friends, or looking out for others who may need help

• Heat your bedroom to 16C before going to bed and close the window

• Use sufficient bedding and blankets to stay warm at night

• Seek medical help if you think you need it and keep appointments with the GP or hospital – the NHS has made changes to make sure it is safe to be seen during coronavirus and phone services are also available

 • If you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors

• Babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C

For further information about keeping well this winter, visit NHS Stay Well. If you are concerned about your health or that of someone you know, call NHS 111.