WITH the really harsh freeze-thaw winter we have all experienced, the ‘Beast from the East’ and storm Emma our highways and indeed our highways teams have had a battering this winter.

You will only have had to look out of your windows or attempted to drive a car in some of the conditions faced in order to assess that this winter has been particularly harsh.

Our gritting teams have received thanks and commendation from members of the public for hand gritting of pavements in some cases and others have compared our crews favourably with other parts of the country they have visited I would like to go on record in adding my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to our teams and our network of help through our farming communities for their efforts.

They have been truly magnificent this winter. I am also grateful to our residents for their patience as working has continued to deal with the impact of severe weather.

We have seen average overnight road surface temperatures of -4.5C in some cases and road temperatures as low as -7C have been recorded.

Highways crews have responded to snow drifts, sub-zero temperatures, fallen trees and have worked tirelessly to maintain access to key routes for rural communities. A coordinated approach with local farmers and emergency services has meant that roads have been kept open where it would have been very easy for them to fail.

There have obviously been some individuals in isolated parts and the hills above Macclesfield whose experience may have been less than they would have hoped for, but overall I believe it has been a magnificent effort all round.

Hopefully the worst of the winter is now behind us. However, if there were to be more, please note to keep up to date with gritting operations, or to view gritting routes, follow highways on @CECHighways on Twitter or visit: http://www.

cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_ and_roads/highway-services/ winter-service/winter-service.

aspx.

Any highways issues you spot can also be reported online at: https:// www.cheshireeasthighways.org/ report-it-general.aspx.

Alternatively call 0300 123 5020.

Cllr Don Stockton Wilmslow Lacey Green