Parks and cemeteries winter maintenance
Find severe weather guidance for parks, open spaces and cemeteries.
Contents
Risk mitigation
The following actions are undertaken to mitigate risk.
Annual review
The winter service plan for parks and open spaces is reviewed each year (September to November) in advance of the winter period. It takes account of:
- Southwark’s broader corporate approach
- industry best practice
- lessons learned from previous years
- environmental considerations
- any operational changes during the intervening period
This information is circulated to friends groups and key stakeholders, together with targeted communications messages for public information.
Advice to the public - risk awareness
Members of the public wishing to use parks and open spaces when snow and/or icy conditions or high winds prevail are advised to exercise their judgement regarding the associated risks before entering a park or open space. This is particularly important if they are accompanied by or responsible for children or vulnerable persons during their visit.
Visitors should be mindful that they have a responsibility for their health and safety and that their actions don’t put others at risk.
Signage
Risk awareness information is also available on park notice boards and entrances. However, this does not extend to all park entrances or sites without boundary fences or places to attach notices.
Corporate communications
Our winter service advice is also periodically communicated through corporate communications.
Stakeholder engagement
Operational issues, including winter service arrangements, form part of ongoing discussions with and updates to friends groups and operators of facilities and services in parks and open spaces.
Weather forecasts and Met Office warnings
Data received for the London Area will inform operational managerial decisions. The Parks and Leisure service will work and communicate as proactively as reasonably practicable to minimise the impacts of adverse weather conditions on the public’s enjoyment of our parks.
Members of the public are advised to check the weather forecast when initially planning their journey and again before leaving home.