Gritters

[drawboy]

I like many others have to drive for my job, it's been a challenge this week to say the least however, I would like to say that the Gritters from Leeds City council have done a great job this week keeping the roads usable. Well done guy's.
What are the gritters like around your way?

 

[Imurg]

Our Council have admitted theyare only gritting the 4 main roads in/out of town so the rest of us can slide around as much as we want.
Nice that - I can't work until it all thaws. Bar Stewards

 

[TRS30]

As usual in Ireland we are totally unprepared and set up our Emergency response team three weeks into emergency, enough said

 

[vig]

I skirt Leeds on my journey and although the M62 has been reasonably clear. The other roads have been appalling

 

[brendy]

All Wheel Drive for the win!, my impreza loves the snow I have to say.

 

[vig]

I don't believe it. It has just started to snow again and it is heavy.

 

[pokerjoke]

Ours are big and yellow.They are gritting the main roads but not the minor ones.Even in the town centre it hasnt been gritted on the pavements so its still really dangerous.Why is it that pavements are not treated at least if this happened we could get out on foot.

 

[viscount17]

haven't seen any actually gritting - saw two with big snow ploughs belting up the A1 that's all.

mind you we've not had much where I live - enough to close the course though.

Stevenage (where I work) has had more but the council are pretty useless - really go for the 'if we clear it we'll get sued' in a big way. (I think they invented it)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Allegedly we're one of the few councils in the Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey region to still have a reasonable reserve. Rather than use it on making he main roads passable they've decided to hold onto it in case the next lot of snow makes life even harder.

As usual, roads are treated and I accept the need for that. However there must be someone in power in a council somewhere that sees the logic in making the pavements, at least in the major town centres, is also a ncessity for the old that can venture out, mothers with kids and the poor suckers at least trying to get into work

 

[SammmeBee]

Allegedly we're one of the few councils in the Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey region to still have a reasonable reserve. Rather than use it on making he main roads passable they've decided to hold onto it in case the next lot of snow makes life even harder.

As usual, roads are treated and I accept the need for that. However there must be someone in power in a council somewhere that sees the logic in making the pavements, at least in the major town centres, is also a ncessity for the old that can venture out, mothers with kids and the poor suckers at least trying to get into work

Homer...as of yesterday Thursday, Bracknell had 2 days supply left, so they have reduced gritting schedules so their supply lasts until Tuesday. I think they managed to grit the A322 then thought that would do....I assume you (the missus) didn't drive to you up to RA today.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

No - tried to get down the A329M into Reading. That bit was fine but big fun on the road up to the Coppid Beech roundabout. Strange though, there was a gut on BBC Berkshire from BFBC saying they were prepared for the expected big snowfall on Monday and that supplies would allow a good positive treatment of roads. Doesn't sound like just two days supply. Me thinks a case of local councillor towing the line and spinning a desperate situation

 

[SammmeBee]

The Coppid Beach Road is about as good as it gets.....M3 and M25 were like a dream (once I managed to get there) today!!

 

[madandra]

I stopped a gritter in Motherwell last Saturday to tell him he wasnt spreading any grit and he told me he didnt have any on the truck but was told to try and break the snow up with the tyres.

 

[algar5]

I'm lucky enough to stay in Fife where the council has been trying to beg, steal and borrow grit/salt from other local authorities. They have had to admit to trying to kid motorists by spraying sand about the roads.

Main routes are now all passable, however side roads are a disaster and rubbish bins have not been emptied for 4 to 5 weeks as health and safety does not allow council workers to walk on our "dangerous roads and pavements"

There are already campaigns ongoing for council officials to be sacked.

Rant Over.

 

[Iaing]

I stopped a gritter in Motherwell last Saturday to tell him he wasnt spreading any grit and he told me he didnt have any on the truck but was told to try and break the snow up with the tyres.

Aha. So that's why they fly past my house at about 40 mph in a 20 zone with nothing coming out the back.

 

[viscount17]

with all the hot air coming out of government and councils you would think that if they just walked round their constituencies the problem would be solved.

 

[Parmo]

I think the problem has been the gap after the first lot before xmas where they could have gritted to a degree it wouldn’t settle again was missed. The main problem I have is that all this cash is going on the roads and the council have hundreds of people on community service and the paths are far more dangerous than the roads.

Years ago when I was a kid I remember yellow grit boxes on every street, they would be filled in the summer months, you could do your part for the community by gritting your paths and bit of road. Near my house we have a cul-de-sac full of OAP’s, they have a grit box which is empty and their road is 2-3 inches of sheet ice with no path to and from anywhere and its been like this for the past 4 weeks.

Why cant they mobilise the unemployed and people on community service to clear paths 5 days a week and get them working? I would have thought this the most obvious solution to not just helping motorists but pedestrians on the whole.

 

[Smiffy]

Eventually got the forecourt looking reasonable yesterday. 40 used cars all free of snow at last, and looking pristine. Looking forward to a good day today, maybe sell a few make up for an otherwise bad week.
Wrong!!
At least another 4" fell overnight and I'm sitting here looking at 40 white blobs and no hope of seeing anybody.
Would you test drive a car in this lot?
Snow plough just gone by, loaded with tonnes of grit but not gritting!!....

 

[drawboy]

Why cant they mobilise the unemployed and people on community service to clear paths 5 days a week and get them working? I would have thought this the most obvious solution to not just helping motorists but pedestrians on the whole.

I'm sure there are plenty of asylum seekers who wouldn't be to keen to seek asylum if they got them out serving the community they so badly want to be a part of clearing paths to pay for their mobile phones, leather jackets and free bus passes.

 

[thecraw]

Sadly, I know for a fact that alot of councils have been sending empty gritters out to drive about to make it look as though they are doing a great job.

Its all down to the sad and pathetic way that this country is now being run, lets panic after an incident is forced upon us, don't actually prepare for it.

The salt mines can only produce 30,000 tonnes of salt per week however the councils throughout Britain are requiring upwards of 30 tonnes of salt per day to keep the roads clear. There are also only two salt mines in England and one in Ireland.

Why the hell can councils not stock pile salt throughout the year? Its bloody salt, it wont go off and become unuseable over any period of time. Its because we have to pay for the dross of society who have eight weans, demand a house and £1500 per month of benefits, thereafter trash their current house and the council then give then another while out taxes pay for it all! Whoes the bloody mugs?

Anyway back on track, gritters, Renfrewshire council have been a great job, they really have which is quite unusual for Renfrewshire, maybe my £245 council tax a month is being used properly for a change!