UPDATE: County Council Must Step Up as Severe Winter Weather Continues
- Adam Jogee MP
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 9
Raising the Issue in Parliament
With snowy and icy conditions continuing across Newcastle-under-Lyme, and further severe weather forecast as Storm Goretti approaches, I raised concerns on the floor of the House of Commons last night about the failure to grit roads and keep residents safe.
When I travelled from Newcastle-under-Lyme to Parliament earlier this week, the weather was already very bad following heavy snowfall overnight. Since then, conditions at home have worsened further – not just because of the weather itself, but because roads across Newcastle-under-Lyme have been left icy and unsafe.
In Parliament, I set out clearly what residents are facing. I referenced reports of empty grit bins, town centre roads left like an ice rink, and key routes across Newcastle-under-Lyme being unsafe or effectively cut off. I asked how best to raise this issue in Parliament in order to force action and ensure that the County Council does what residents pay for and expect – to grit roads and keep people safe.
Concerns Raised Ahead of the Severe Weather
This situation did not come out of the blue. Severe winter weather was forecast well in advance, which is why, in early December, I wrote to Staffordshire County Council to seek reassurance about winter gritting and preparedness ahead of the festive period.
You can see that correspondence and the assurances I received here:
When it became clear that those assurances were not being reflected on the ground, I published a further update explaining why the response to snow and ice across Newcastle-under-Lyme was unacceptable:
The issues residents have faced over the last few days follow directly from those earlier concerns.
Writing to Staffordshire County Council
Alongside raising this issue nationally, I have also written formally to the Acting Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Cllr Martin Murray, to seek clear answers about political leadership, preparedness, and decision-making before and during this period of severe winter weather.
In that letter, I set out my serious concerns about the apparent lack of preparedness despite adverse weather being forecast well in advance and despite the assurances provided by the County Council in December – asking whether the Council’s Cabinet met in advance of the severe weather to consider preparedness, resource allocation, and public safety; whether resilience or emergency planning forums were convened proactively rather than reactively; and what strategic direction, if any, was provided by the Council’s political leadership to protect highways, essential services, and vulnerable residents.
Effective local government relies not only on operational response once problems arise, but on visible political leadership, anticipation of risk, and coordinated action when public safety is at stake.
The letter sent to Cllr Martin Murray, Acting Leader of Staffordshire County Council, on 7 January 2026 is included below.
![Effective local government relies not only on operational response but on visible and proactive political leadership, particularly where public safety is concerned. The perception among many residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme is that the County Council has been caught unprepared, despite ample warning, and that any decision-making lacked urgency and coordination. I hope that you will be able to provide a speedy response so that I can reassure my constituents that everything possible was undertaken in advance to ensure the safety of those who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Lastly, I would welcome any clarity you can provide on what lessons have been identified, and how the County Council intends to ensure that future severe weather events are met with stronger leadership, clearer accountability, and more robust preventive planning. I look forward to your response at the earliest opportunity. Yours sincerely, [[signature]] Adam Jogee MP Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93892e_3083f8e89ae64e91831657446c04f28f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_188,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30/93892e_3083f8e89ae64e91831657446c04f28f~mv2.jpg)
![Effective local government relies not only on operational response but on visible and proactive political leadership, particularly where public safety is concerned. The perception among many residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme is that the County Council has been caught unprepared, despite ample warning, and that any decision-making lacked urgency and coordination. I hope that you will be able to provide a speedy response so that I can reassure my constituents that everything possible was undertaken in advance to ensure the safety of those who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Lastly, I would welcome any clarity you can provide on what lessons have been identified, and how the County Council intends to ensure that future severe weather events are met with stronger leadership, clearer accountability, and more robust preventive planning. I look forward to your response at the earliest opportunity. Yours sincerely, [[signature]] Adam Jogee MP Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93892e_3083f8e89ae64e91831657446c04f28f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_487,h_650,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90/93892e_3083f8e89ae64e91831657446c04f28f~mv2.jpg)
Grit Bin on Sterndale Drive Finally Refilled Following Representations
Earlier today, following my representations, one of the previously unfilled grit bins on Sterndale Drive was refilled. Residents had reported that this bin had not been filled for almost three years and that it no longer appeared on the Council’s grit bin map on its website, without any warning or explanation to residents.
While this should not have required intervention, it demonstrates that raising these issues persistently can lead to action. I will continue to press for outstanding problems to be addressed across Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Further Severe Weather Forecast
A yellow weather warning is due to come into force from 5pm today until midday tomorrow. Storm Goretti is expected to bring heavy snow, which may cause further disruption and make travelling difficult later today and into Friday.
What Happens Next
Residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme deserve reassurance that everything reasonably possible was done in advance to keep roads safe and communities moving. I have asked for a prompt response so that I can provide that reassurance – or, where it is lacking, continue to press for improvements.
With hazardous conditions expected to continue, with further severe weather forecast, I will continue to raise this issue locally and nationally until roads are properly gritted and made safe. I will also keep residents updated as soon as I receive further information.
If you are affected by icy or untreated roads, please continue to get in touch so these experiences can be properly raised and acted upon.