Many of us had to deal with a fair amount of snow yesterday (and today in some cases) and many of us simply weren't satisfied with the efforts made by our local authorities to keep on top of the situation.
The snow settled and quickly made roads treacherous and unnavigable. So the ploughs weren't getting through. But how many of us had snow chains on our wheels, I mean, how can a plough get through when it is blocked by a queue of cars that also aren't equipped to deal with adverse conditions? A truck can only do so much.
We all have our views on how our councils responded to this flurry of snow, and many have been quick to point out that in Continental Countries they could have dealt much better with the situation.
I agree, but then again when was the last time we had snow like this? Oh yeah, 18 years ago.
We could indeed have had a fleet of machinery on standby to keep the roads clear, but could you imagine just what the capital expenditure plus maintenance costs and depreciation would be on this little used equipment. Put it this way, if our Local Authorities were private companies they wouldn't even entertain the idea.
But they aren't, they are what we pay for. So I'll ask you instead, would you be willing to pay extra on your council tax to have this equipment set up and potentially never used? Of course you could make many arguments about council spending, but I'm keen to avoid that, so bear with me, but would you be willing to invest in machines tp be used once every 8 years (on average)?
I'm disappointed in my local authority, bus company and several other individuals, but not because of the roads becoming blocked.
I'm disappointed because they had absolutely no communication with the rest of us on their websites, and even the radio traffic updates were given in an, "Well it could be true but we honestly don't know." manner. The BBC, ITV, local radio and television couldn't be trusted as they simply didn't have adequate information from these organisations.
Only one of many organisations offered up to date information, this was Northern Rail, my local rail company. One bloody organisation? That's a fucking disgrace!
Those who failed 100% to offer information to us were, Virgin Trains, TransPennine Express, Stagecoach Bus, First Bus, Tameside MBC, Oldham MBC, Stockport MBC, Manchester CC, Highways Agency.
And as for the GMPTE, you are the worst offender. You are the people who should have been in there first with up to the minute updates. And where were you? Sulking about the failed TIF proposals, probably.
Not keeping the roads clear was a cock up, but not keeping us informed was cardinal.
This is a message to all those organisations who simply lost their heads,
It's happened, you failed on this occasion, you lost your nerve. The mistakes have been made. Don't dwell on them, but take what's coming on the chin.
Most importantly, DON'T let it happen again! Communication is everything in this life
Oh and to all those motorists who whinged about driving in the snow, did you have snow chains on? If not then fuck off
