Cambridgeshire got its first taste of winter today with drivers with a frosty start and early freezing fog patches which the Met Office warned might be slow to clear. Both the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) last night issued a yellow-cold health alert for the county which runs until Tuesday December 5.
The alert is to advice that the weather could be a risk to your health, especially if you’re over 65, under 5 or have a long-term health condition.
Val Thomas, deputy director of public health for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “Being cold isn’t just uncomfortable it can be bad for your health.
“Sitting or sleeping in a cold room is not good for you and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, chest infections and breathing problems.
Friday 01 December 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“Try to keep indoor temperatures to at least 18c if you can, we have included information about help available with heating costs in the tips below. Have regular hot food and drinks and try not to sit for more than an hour.
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“Avoid going out in cold weather but if you must, wear warm clothes, shoes with a good grip and avoid icy walking areas which can lead to falls.”
Friday 01 December 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.
She added: “If you have family and friends who are vulnerable, check in on them, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses to make sure they are safe, warm and have food and any prescriptions they need so that they do not have to leave their homes.
The Met Office says tonight will again be “very cold with clear spells and widespread frost”. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
And on Saturday expect another cold, frost morning with freezing fog patches slow to clear. Maximum temperate expected is 2 °C.
Meanwhile anyone driving into Cambridge can expect queues and CambsTravel are advising that longer delays on building on the A1307 Babraham Road, Hill Road A1134 Queens Road, Brooks Road, and Barnwell Avenue.
Friday 01 December 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Meanwhile UK Power Networks says there has been “an unprecedented increase in demand for works to be carried out in Cambridge City”
Major schemes to provide high voltage electricity supplies to Addenbrookes Hospital and are reinforcing the entire electricity network to the city which is at capacity and at risk of becoming unstable and failing.
It says Cadent Gas “has a huge mains renewal programme to ensure the safe, reliable supply for residents and businesses. This is largely driven by their risk assessments and the Health and Safety Executive.
“The Street Works Team are currently delaying some works until 2027, due to the pressures on the network. They already, and have done for many years, schedule works for school holidays wherever possible.
Friday 01 December 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“However, the nature of the ongoing works and their duration means they will already span the school holidays and cannot be contained wholly to them.
“It would simply take years to complete the works to restrict it just to school holidays. Statutory Undertakers (SUs) have a legal right and statutory obligation under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to install and maintain apparatus in the public highway”.
