Heatwave red alert Leeds City Council updates

The latest news and guidance regarding council services and the current red warning alert for extreme heat will be updated here:

Bin collections started earlier today (Tuesday) at 6am and will end for the day at 12 noon in order to allow crews to work in lower temperatures and avoid the hottest part of the day. Additional crews are working to cover more routes this morning as well as any missed bins from yesterday.

All Household Waste and Recycling Centres will close at 12 noon today including Kirkstall. A small number of staff will remain at Kirkstall this afternoon to handle weighbridge/emergency issues only.  This decision has been taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, and to manage and mitigate risks from potentially combustible materials.  

Cleaner neighbourhood teams will also be standing down at midday across the city and in the city centre. Services will resume later today with evening and city centre night services before full services return as normal tomorrow (Wednesday). 

Bulky waste collections have also been suspended from midday today – residents with collections booked are advised that items should be left ready for collection which will be carried out in the next few days.

Tropical World remains closed today to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and the animals. The animal keepers will be focused on the welfare of the animals. Apologies for any inconvenience this closure causes. The café and shop remain open.

The Arium has also now closed for today, including the café. The Coffee POD is also closed. All other parks cafes are open as usual but offering a reduced menu.

Melting road surfaces may be an issue due to the extreme temperatures, and council teams are on hand ready to respond. If you see any such issues please call 0113 222 4407 to make the team aware or message them via Report a pothole or damaged road surface - leeds.gov.uk

All council libraries and community hubs will close earlier today at 4pm.

Please check the temperature before you make any journey and be aware council services may close earlier in high temperatures.

Schools remain open in order help keep children safe. Bulletins have been given to schools outlining a range of advice and guidance on clothing, fluids, ways to keep cool, windows, air movement and fans, transport, sunscreen, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke and outdoor activities.

Guidance has also been given to all care homes in Leeds around handling the heat, following the national Heatwave Plan guidance to help keep residents safe.

Rough sleepers and those in emergency accommodation are urged to stay indoors as much as possible and seek shelter at St Anne’s or St George’s Crypt. If being outside is necessary, keep well hydrated and in the shade as much as possible. Yorkshire Water have kindly donated 1000 bottles of water and the street support team will be carrying out outreach on a shift pattern ensuring they are distributed.

The public can also notify the Street Outreach Team in Leeds if they are worried about a rough sleeper – contact can be made with the team on 0113 245 9445 or email via on Leeds.SOS@cgl.org.uk. You can also report via Streetlink.

Everyone is advised to follow the national guidance to stay indoors with curtains closed especially during the peak hours of 11am-4pm, to hydrate regularly, wear loose clothing and take regular breaks. It is also important to check on the welfare of neighbours and vulnerable/elderly residents and family members.

If you are able to work from home please do so, and try to avoid travel especially during the expected hottest period today.

Water safety is also especially important, and the guidance is please do not attempt to swim in open water as this is very dangerous.

Grass fires are also a risk in current temperatures, so please take extra care and precautions when lighting and disposing of barbecues, cigarettes or glass which can cause fires.

For the latest updates on transport services in Leeds visit Metro | Metro (wymetro.com)

Latest council service information and updates will also be available on twitter via @LeedsCC_News

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007