citronut wrote:i think the ICE ROAD TRUCKERS would think what we are getting is like a fly on there windscreen, compaired to wht they are used to (skatting/driving on thin ice)
regards malcolm
Yes I have been watching that, and we seem like muppets compared to them, they certainly have to deal with very bad conditions there.
Imagine if one of the ice road truckers were to view what we have been through here, via the media they would p##s themselves laughing, at the lack of planning.
As we have had problems with the supply of grit, then how about some more planning from the authorities, I.E. the setting up of separate different stockpiles in the different areas of the country, North, South, East, and West as smaller feeder supplies to the Highways Agency, and the county, and local councils.
Therefore we would not be stuck as we are now with the stockpile at the mine that supplies the whole of the U.K. being drawn down so quickly, that they have had to mine more, and up production to keep up with the current demand.
Then there would be a further supply to call on in this once in a blue moon scenario, but as it has caused so many problems, accidents etc, and as the government is able to find money just like that to help the banks, could they not provide some to keep us safe, able to get about, and prevent us looking like complete plonkers when what is a small amount of snow (compared to other countries in Europe) arrives.
Also the gritting vehicles seem to be lower spec than they should be, I.E. no front mounting provision for a snow plough attachment, now obviously this is because of cost, but then what small cost is that compared to all this disruption we have had.
It's no wonder we are running so low on salt supplies when all they do is spread it around in greater amounts, on top of ever deeper snow, and hope it will do it's job.
When what they should is clear it out of the way first then spread it to prevent ice forming.
It comes to something when you even see a gritting vehicle skating around, and then losing control, as happened in Trafalgar Square during last week.
So that's what happend on Grafton St. then. My workmate, who lives down in Loughton fell foul of that one and had a very long diversion to negotiate to get home. Took him an hour and a half to go 5 miles.