Officials slip up in snow chaos

IT appears that the Government is congratulating itself on its well-managed response to the big freeze, and the imminent arrival of more grit from overseas.

If only this praise was deserved – and endorsed by all those motorists, and taxpayers, across Yorkshire who continue to endure some of the worst conditions experienced on this region's roads.

Indicative of the extreme dangers were those gritting lorries which actually left the road because of black ice. Their failure to handle the dangerous road conditions speaks volumes about the seriousness of the hazards.

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Yet, while the length – and severity – of the freeze was not foreseen by many, it is clear that yesterday's chaos was exacerbated by those councils who have been curtailing their gritting operations because they have inadequate supplies.

Though logistics are clearly an issue that need resolving, there's still a perception that the Government, and town halls, failed to put in place adequate plans to counter the big freeze.

Even though this contingency is one of the reasons used to defend above-inflation increases in council tax bills, motorists – and also pedestrians – are still being let down by untreated roads and pavements.

This never appears to be an issue on mainland Europe which regularly experiences winters far more harsher than this cold snap, but it is a recurring theme here every year when the first snow flakes fall from the sky.

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Why? It's a question that needs answering, and certainly before next winter. For, in case it has escaped the attention of Ministers, the cost to the NHS in treating people who have come to grief unnecessarily in the snow and ice probably outstrips the amount of money that it would have taken to grit the roads and pavements properly.

This false economy is certainly not helping businesses and schools to operate normally. Nor is the failure of train companies across Britain to run regular timetables – and the continuing confusion over who is responsible for clearing snow from public areas.

Though Gordon Brown, and others, will contend that the disruption could have been even more serious, they have hardly covered themselves in glory.