Lambeth seeks more snow wardens in Waterloo

The council is offering free grit and equipment to local residents who would like to volunteer to help keep their local area safe and free from snow and ice.

Snow wardens will be given free shovels, supplies of grit, high-visibility jackets, gloves and health and safety training to do the job. Additional equipment will be available for community groups to share between members.

So far the only snow wardens in the Waterloo and South Bank area are half a dozen members of the Lambeth Estate Residents' Association (around Roupell Street and Theed Street) who took part in training last winter.

"Our snow wardens scheme has been really popular so we're opening it up to more willing volunteers." said Cllr Pete Robbins, cabinet member for neighbourhood services.

"We are looking for more individuals as well as members of community groups to become Lambeth snow wardens and help keep our pavements and footpaths safer this Winter.

"More than 10 tonnes of grit has been allocated to the scheme and snow wardens will be able to replenish grit supplies at the Vale Street Recycling Centre should their supplies get low.

"We hope that our latest recruitment drive will take the number of Lambeth snow wardens to over 300."

Lambeth has replenished its salt supplies from last year and is stockpiling 800 tonnes of grit for council workers to apply to help keep the borough's road moving in icy conditions this winter. There are also 550 salt bins positioned around the borough that have already been filled. Together, these bins hold 250 tonnes of salt for public use.

The council's winter gritting service will be operating as usual again this year. The snow warden scheme aims to build on the work done by council officers by enlisting the help of residents who want to do more to help their neighbours.

Training sessions for new recruits will be held in November at the Town Hall and the Durning Library in Kennington. If you are interested in getting involved, email [email protected] or call 020 7926 0524.