9th January 2010
9th January 2010
Again the snows have fallen hard, back roads have turned to ice sheets, the county has run low on grit, the schools have closed, people have had to take days off work and many ask why snow makes the country grind to a halt when other countries with far worse weather can carry on.Firstly let me put my cards on the table, I like the snow, I enjoy the challenges and beauty it brings. I'm 34 but that didn't stop me sledging (Very grateful for the loan of a sledge). I am of the a belief that would no doubt be scorned by many leaders of business that on the first serious day of snow each year a holiday should be called and all schools closed so that everyone who is so inclined especially children can go out and enjoy this rare and special treat (after all in years to come it may be gone for good).
As for transport seizing up we have to make a decision on just how much we are prepared to spend for how much benefit. Snow ploughs cost a lot of money to buy and maintain. How much Money do we spend on that on the off chance of snow? Enough to provide ploughing capacity for Motor ways and A roads? B Roads? All roads? even option 2 is a lot of snow ploughs and they still leave a lot of snow on the road which means we need gritters too which need to be bought and maintained. Then you have to fill them with grit. How many weeks worth of grit do you keep. It's rare for an icy spell to last more than a couple of weeks, but this one has lasted nearly three with a week to go yet by the looks of it. We could have a stock pile of a months grit, but grit deteriorates over time. Of the grit left at the end of one winter a third of that will be left by the beginning of the next (If properly stored) If we get just one week of snow a year are we happy to let two weeks worth go to waste?
The other half of the equation is personal responsibility. People say countries like Sweden get through months of snow, but in Sweden two things happen. Firstly during the snows nobody parks on the roads so the snow ploughs can get through. Any car parked by the side of the road would get buried. I can't see that working on the Deals or School Road at the moment. Also they don't grit roads. Instead people all swap their car tires for snow tires. These aren't great under normal situations but will get you home on packed down snow. Thing is they cost money. How many of you are willing to take your share of the burden and buy a set for the sake of what might be just a few days snow a year? Most people seem to think it's not worth the money most of the time but that means when it finally does snow it's too late to prepare or do anything about it.
Right now we don't get much snow each year round these parts. This may change, what ever the cause something seems to be changing, but until it does we have to work out a tricky balance of cost, benefit and risk. I will leave that to an economist. Meanwhile say thankyou to your local Postmen and Paper Boys who in Kedington at least have not let the weather stop them.
Article by M P Upton
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