England in The Snow, January 2010

It normally just lasts a couple of days, max. There’s a few hours when you can’t get out or you might get stuck on your way home, but usually within 48 hours it’s gone again. Even 1963 where the thaws were followed by fresh snow falls, there were gaps in-between when the infrastructure could be got in order again. This time it has been relentless. With just a mild thaw long enough to allow us to do and receive our Christmas visits, it’s gone on since 17th December  2009 until now, 7th January. The snowfalls have been regular and the freezing conditions haven’t let up.

I did get into work on Monday. Yes, the main roads were quite good and even our side road with its S-bend and gentle slope was not too difficult to negotiate. But the university where I worked did not have enough rock salt to cover the car parks. You could have skated on it, I swear. My car protested about stopping as I approached the A6 on my way home. My speed had been very gentle as had my pressure on the breaks but the anti-lock system had me hopping towards the speeding traffic. Not funny! Neither was my journey to the car from my office- all 200 yards of it – armed with two large bags full of assignments. Going to the bank  also only a few yards away was a major expedition. We did see one lady fall and break her hip on the ice. She was wearing very sensible boots and really good warm clothing, nicely padded. In vain, obviously.    

A new colleague joined us on Monday. She is Swedish. She found it all very amusing. Of course she did. We are pathetic aren’t we? Compared with Canada, Sweden the South Pole and even closer parts of Europe  

“But we just can’t put the resources in, “ I said. “We just can’t make that amount of allowance for something which lasts at worst two weeks each year.”

Except, of course it’s now been almost three and no sign of a let-up for another week.     

So, the country is running out of salt and grit. Ironically we live near one of the biggest salt mines in Europe. This country is surrounded by beaches – many of then gritty. Shouldn’t we assume everyday of winter is going to be wintery and get the supplies in? There is no lack of   raw materials. It’s not having them accessible that causes the difficulties. And I argue that even the side roads should be treated. We’re pretty well trapped where we live. A car ended up in someone’s front garden yesterday – a garden that’s about twelve foot down from the road. The last half mile counts. People must be allowed to get to their place of work.