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How do you keep roads snow-free? How do you keep roads snow-free?
(1 day later)
Analysis By Tom Symonds Transport correspondent, BBC News Analysis By Tom Symonds Transport correspondent, BBC News Gritting lorries are managed by both the Highways Agency and councilsIt was the cliche of the day. "A little bit of snow and the whole place grinds to a halt". So why? And does it have to be like that?
Gritting lorries are managed by both the Highways Agency and councils
It was the cliche of the day. "A little bit of snow and the whole place grinds to a halt". So why? And does it have to be like that?
It may be hard to believe, but in one way, nature did council highways managers a favour.It may be hard to believe, but in one way, nature did council highways managers a favour.
The snow came overnight, and by next morning, commuters looked out of their windows and heeded the warnings not to travel.The snow came overnight, and by next morning, commuters looked out of their windows and heeded the warnings not to travel.
It was different in 2003 when the snow came mid-afternoon, and travellers tried to get home.It was different in 2003 when the snow came mid-afternoon, and travellers tried to get home.
They got stuck in jams, the gritters could not get through, and thousands had to sleep in their cars. They got stuck in jams, the gritters could not get through, and thousands had to sleep in their cars. The claim that it is local authorities' fault that they cannot run services needs to be treated with a huge pinch of gritting salt Paul Bettison, Local Government Association class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7169361.stm">How do they know when to grit?
Timing is everything with gritting.Timing is everything with gritting.
The salt has to be on the road when the snow is fairly light, and most roads were well covered during Sunday evening.The salt has to be on the road when the snow is fairly light, and most roads were well covered during Sunday evening.
But it also helps to have a bit of traffic grinding the salt and snow together, and in some cases, crashes stopped the traffic, and the snow just lay on top of the salt.But it also helps to have a bit of traffic grinding the salt and snow together, and in some cases, crashes stopped the traffic, and the snow just lay on top of the salt.
Another factor stems from the way Britain's roads are managed.Another factor stems from the way Britain's roads are managed.
The Highways Agency looks after the major roads and can call on a bigger fleet of snow-clearing vehicles.The Highways Agency looks after the major roads and can call on a bigger fleet of snow-clearing vehicles.
Local roads are the responsibility of local councils, and the response teams vary.Local roads are the responsibility of local councils, and the response teams vary.
Rural Gloucestershire had 12 machines for all its roads, according to the Local Government Association, but Essex could call on 65 gritting lorries.Rural Gloucestershire had 12 machines for all its roads, according to the Local Government Association, but Essex could call on 65 gritting lorries.
In London, it rarely snows at all in any meaningful way, so the boroughs are less well-equipped.In London, it rarely snows at all in any meaningful way, so the boroughs are less well-equipped.
Westminster may have had one gritting lorry for each square mile. But Harrow has just eight for the whole borough, and Newham six.Westminster may have had one gritting lorry for each square mile. But Harrow has just eight for the whole borough, and Newham six.
That may explain the fate of London's buses which were brought to a total standstill for the first time in recent history.That may explain the fate of London's buses which were brought to a total standstill for the first time in recent history.
ScapegoatScapegoat
It happened for two reasons - the icy roads overnight were sending buses skidding into lampposts.It happened for two reasons - the icy roads overnight were sending buses skidding into lampposts.
And once they were back in the depot, they got snowed in.And once they were back in the depot, they got snowed in.
Most bus depots in London are on small roads, looked after by the councils.Most bus depots in London are on small roads, looked after by the councils.
It is clear they could not keep those access roads clear.It is clear they could not keep those access roads clear.
There is no suggestion councils did not do their jobs properly.There is no suggestion councils did not do their jobs properly.
The claim that it is local authorities fault that they cannot run services needs to be treated with a huge pinch of gritting salt Paul Bettison, Local Government Association
Certainly the chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, Paul Bettison, has strongly rejected that.Certainly the chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, Paul Bettison, has strongly rejected that.
"Other organisations that are affected by the snow appear to be using councils as a scapegoat for their own poor preparations for the weather," he said."Other organisations that are affected by the snow appear to be using councils as a scapegoat for their own poor preparations for the weather," he said.
"The claim that it is local authorities' fault that they cannot run services needs to be treated with a huge pinch of gritting salt."The claim that it is local authorities' fault that they cannot run services needs to be treated with a huge pinch of gritting salt.
"Swathes of the country are being hit by up to six inches of snow and hundreds of council workers are gritting pavements and roads."Swathes of the country are being hit by up to six inches of snow and hundreds of council workers are gritting pavements and roads.
"But with snow continuing to fall staff are facing an uphill battle to try and make sure that roads and pavements are kept clear.""But with snow continuing to fall staff are facing an uphill battle to try and make sure that roads and pavements are kept clear."
The AA's president, Edmund King, agrees there were no major failures and he lists some lessons to learn.The AA's president, Edmund King, agrees there were no major failures and he lists some lessons to learn.
The roads leading to bus depots, he says, should have been prioritised, and many motorway slip roads were left covered in snow.The roads leading to bus depots, he says, should have been prioritised, and many motorway slip roads were left covered in snow.
Councils should have ways of getting more resources when the weather is really bad.Councils should have ways of getting more resources when the weather is really bad.
And he says, too many essential websites, such as the interactive traffic maps offered by the Highways Agency, were not able to cope.And he says, too many essential websites, such as the interactive traffic maps offered by the Highways Agency, were not able to cope.
But this week has shown Britain as a whole is not geared up to cope with this level of snow.But this week has shown Britain as a whole is not geared up to cope with this level of snow.
De-icing sprayDe-icing spray
Local councils spent £138m last year on clearing snow and ice. The Highways Agency spends another £30m on average.Local councils spent £138m last year on clearing snow and ice. The Highways Agency spends another £30m on average.
But Finland, which has a similar sized road network to the UK, spends more than £400m.But Finland, which has a similar sized road network to the UK, spends more than £400m.
The snow saw London's buses withdrawn from service on MondayThe snow saw London's buses withdrawn from service on Monday
The country's roads agency has a target to get priority roads clear of snow two-and-a-half hours after it stops falling.The country's roads agency has a target to get priority roads clear of snow two-and-a-half hours after it stops falling.
The snow is scraped, blown, and ploughed out of the way. De-icing spray is used, there are roads with under-floor heating, and special snow fences.The snow is scraped, blown, and ploughed out of the way. De-icing spray is used, there are roads with under-floor heating, and special snow fences.
Of course, in cold countries, drivers also help themselves by fitting snow tyres or chains. In Finland it is law.Of course, in cold countries, drivers also help themselves by fitting snow tyres or chains. In Finland it is law.
But many in the transport industry believe it is not worth Britain spending vast amounts on preparing for snow - it just does not happen often enough to justify the spending.But many in the transport industry believe it is not worth Britain spending vast amounts on preparing for snow - it just does not happen often enough to justify the spending.
Which means we just have to grin and bear it as we grind to a halt.Which means we just have to grin and bear it as we grind to a halt.