That's a bit harsh. it's a once in 20 year event, possibly once a century. Let's just enjoy it.
Now, when the downland villages flood in the thaw next month (it's due this year), that's when I expect WBC to be on the ball, as it's a once every 7-8 yr event, and we know exactly where and when. No excuses.
They wont flood this year - my well is still practically dry, by now it should be 1 or 2 m from the top...
The problem in the downs is rarely flash flooding - but ground water levels rising to the point the rivers like the Pang start to flow. However 6 or 7 years ago when it happened it was the first time for years the Pang had flowed properly from West Ilsley onwards (normally only flows from Hampstead Norreys). At loads of places in Compton and East Ilsley it was partly blocked - so the water could'nt flow away properly, this should have all been sorted now though...
Let's hope that if we don't get a thaw that the council don't shovel snow into lorries and dump it on Northcroft as they did in 1947. Now that was flooding on a fairly industrial scale as far as Newbury was concerned when the melt came.
97.2% OF ALL THE EARTH"S WATER IS SALTWATER....There is enough salt in the world"s ocean to cover all the continents with a layer 150 meters [492ft] thick.......but it IS bad for your health!!
Seems to me that it's the private sector that's falling down on the job here - councils all over the country are crying out for more salt and have the equipment and staff needed to spread it but the suppliers are unable to deliver. They, of all people, should be geared up to meet the demand.
You may be right, but equally, according to the AA, councils have been ordering less and less (250,000 tonnes less over the last 10 years), so it looks like the supplier was just reducing output according to the market.
The funny thing is, when they get sued for failing their statutory duty to clear the snow, WBC will have to pay out much more than the cost of keeping a huge mountain of salt.
The funny thing is, when they get sued for failing their statutory duty to clear the snow, WBC will have to pay out much more than the cost of keeping a huge mountain of salt.
They won't be sued - you should have read further: 111 Highways: snow and ice .After section 41(1) of the Highways Act 1980 (c. 66) (duty of highway authority to maintain highway) insert— “(1A) In particular, a highway authority are under a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.”
It would be difficult to find a court that did not agree that WBC had done its duty inder this act "so far as is reasonably practicable".
General purpose post: (just to save eveyone's time) (try not to yawn and drop off)
Why oh why does everything stop in this country as soon as it snows?
Why oh why haven't the council gritted my / road / pavement / driveway?
Why oh why didn't the council order enough salt / grit / whatever?
Why oh why are some companies making no-show employees take the days off as annual leave?
Why oh why have we lost all sense of reason and common sense?
Why oh why can't people clear their own road / pavement / driveway without fear of being sued?
Why oh why did a local councillor write to tell them that they couldn't? (1)
Why oh why does does a local councillor now tell them it shows community spirit to clear their road / pavement / driveway, and that they should? (2)
Why oh why does a councillor now write to tell them he can't give out any advice regarding the clearing of their road / pavement / driveway? (3)
Why oh why can't the Lib-Dems get anyone better than this balloon-headed idjit to get on the council?
Seriously though, if you have had terrible road conditions / the journey from hell to and from work / no help from the council / delayed services / sightings of people doing silly things on the road whilst driving / instances of heroic or crazy behaviour, please keep it to yourself......'cos I'm soddin' sick of hearing about it...
Threep.
(1)(2)(3)( the same councillor in all three cases)
You forgot about Cllr Rendel asking gas guzzling 4x4 owners to help people who are snowed in. Which they won't of course, even though it is their fault why we have this weather!
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