Reading today about the snow in Sussex. Several inches fell, and many were stuck in their cars for hours. Some even abandoned their cars to walk to a service station.
I remember the same thing happened in 2002 when I was traveling back from Bristol to London. It was the first real snowfall we had seen in about eight years. The next significant snowfall was not until 2007 if I recall.
Yet every year since then it had snowed when I have been in the UK. What used to be something of a rare snowfall is what I would be describing as seasonal norm. So why is the UK not able to cope with a few inches of snow?
Of course, Scandinavia gets more, and it lasts a lot longer. But here life seems to continue. Cars drive on the roads (with winter tyres), the trains run on time, planes land and depart. The difference, I feel, is that Scandinavia are far more prepared.
The UK has weather warnings, yet you only see the gritting lorries and snow ploughs when traffic is piled back. Here each morning, afternoon and night, they are out making the roads easier to navigate.
The UK will never be prepared for adverse weather. In 2010 when the airports were shut due to an inch of snow all other European countries seemed to carry on as it was everyday business.
Next year stock up on grit invest in more snow ploughs and gritters and make it a 24 hour service on the roads and not just when the snow falls. No excuse really! Reading today about the snow in Sussex. Several inches fell, and many were stuck in their cars for hours. Some even abandoned their cars to walk to a service station.
I remember the same thing happened in 2002 when I was traveling back from Bristol to London. It was the first real snowfall we had seen in about eight years. The next major snowfall was not until 2007 if I recall.
Yet every year since then it had snowed when I have been in the UK. What used to be something of a rare snowfall is what I would be describing as seasonal norm. So why is the UK not able to cope with a few inches of snow?
Of course, Scandinavia gets more and it lasts a lot longer. But here life seems to continue like it should. Cars drive on the roads (with winter tyres), the trains run on time, planes land and depart.
The UK has weather warnings, yet you only see the gritting lorries and snow ploughs when traffic is piled back. Here each morning, afternoon and night they are out making the roads easier to navigate.
The UK will never be prepared for adverse weather. In 2010 when the airports were shut due to an inch of snow all other European countries seemed to carry on like it was everyday business.
Next year stock up on grit invest in more snow ploughs and gritters and make it a 24 hour service on the roads not just when the snow falls. No excuse really!
