As schools break up and holiday festivities

begin the snow descends upon Kingston, creating the merry atmosphere for Christmas

shopping. The last official white Christmas was in 2009, where most parts of

England, Ireland and Wales was covered with the white snow. The cold weather

that Kingston has experienced recently is opposing the concept of global

warming, with this year being the coldest Christmas for 30 years. Unfortunately

with the cold weather and snow, comes the danger of ice on pavements and roads,

creating dangerous situations for people out and about in Kingston.

Kingston Council’s ability to

cope with the ice will be tested during the upcoming Christmas week and into

the New Year. The Kingston Council continues work on keeping the borough moving

and public services in operation, to ensure a smooth Christmas for all. To make

Kingston as safe as possible a substance called grit is being used in public

areas. Grit is a substance made out of rock salt, which is crushed to form

light brown granules, if weather remains dry the grit turns a white colour. Grit

does not work in wet regions therefore Kingston Council has spread it early to guarantee

a resistant surface. Whether or not you like snow, weather experts predict a

white Christmas, so wrap up warm as temperatures are due to drop.

Daisy Morris