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No snow?

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

WHITE REMAINED the predominant colour in our Borough last week as this coldest cold spell for decades continued to exert its icy grip on Larne as elsewhere in the country. Larne may have escaped the degree of disruption and chaos caused by heavy snowfalls, frost and ice in other parts of the UK, but certainly large sections of this Borough have been suffering in these ongoing sub-zero temperatures.
There was something of a thaw at the weekend, although snow remained on the hills and high ground along with treacherous patches of ice on our roads and pavements.
By Monday temperatures had reached a comparatively mild one to two degrees, although more ice and frost were expected later.
Furthermore, continuing rain, sleet and snow, plus a sharp east/south-east breeze, kept things far from heartwarming.
However, with one phase at least of the 'Big Freeze' over, comment and criticism has continued to come in regarding the handling of this bitterly cold spell.
The 'Big Freeze' certainly lived up to its name as the pre-Christmas chill turned into a post-New Year prolonged period of extremely icy conditions.
Last week it was being estimated that another ten to fourteen days of freezing conditions was on the cards.
Reports came from across the UK that the government was cutting back on gritting as stocks of salt dwindled, such limitations being a feature of the Freeze which certainly seemed apparent to those facing untreated roads and pavements in our own area.
As reported in the Larne Gazette, the effects of all this weather, inclement even by our usual winter standards, have been predictable but the unusual length of time involved has rendered them even more problematic.
Another fall of snow
Last Thursday evening saw another fall of snow which remained coating the ground on Friday as folk froze.
With the temperature struggling to get above zero, roads and pavements have remained coated in ice each day, hampering motorists and forcing pedestrians to take to the roads where the latter have been treated.
And treating of thoroughfares, or lack thereof, has, of course, been top of the agenda for all who have been out and about over recent days.
This perennial problem, a favourite topic of discussion both within and without the Council Chamber, has made travelling any distance a real challenge.
Nor, although they are naturally the worst affected, is it only rural areas which have been hit in these conditions.
Reports of difficulties in more urban districts have been coming in thick and fast, a fact we covered last week with a complaint from a Hampton Manor resident who had seen the road in and out of that development become like a "skating rink."
Continued on page 5
And, speaking to the Mayor of Larne, Cllr Bobby McKee, last week, we learned of his concerns for residents of other local areas which, with unadopted roads, had had their travel plans seriously fouled up.
He was particularly worried about those most vulnerable members of our community, the elderly and disabled, living in the worst hit parts and thus at risk of having their carers prevented from visiting.
The Mayor therefore urged neighbours, friends and family to remain especially vigilant towards the safety of older folk and the infirm during this Freeze.
In terms of the measures he wished to see adopted, Mayor McKee also felt that sand boxes ought to be positioned at affected points in order to allow residents to keep their own roads clear.
It was a policy in place in earlier years which he clearly felt was long overdue for a return during present conditions. It was something the residents themselves made obvious they wished to see implemented, too.
The responsibility of DRD Roads Service in this regard was highlighted.
Tough time
Criticism of the service also came from other quarters at this tough time.
Cllr Andy Wilson has branded the attitude of the service towards current gritting policy as "totally inflexible", "bureaucratic" and "largely unsympathetic" to the needs being set out both by representatives and public.
The councillor's suggestions for "some modest additions" to the route schedule had, he felt, fallen on deaf ears and none of his ideas been taken up.
In light of this, he wished to see gritting policy being set locally by Council, a body which, as Mayor McKee also pointed out, was frequently blamed for problems whilst remaining impotent when it came to altering arrangements.
However, speaking before the Councillor issued his statement last week, Roads Service told the Larne Gazette how they were dealing with the severe difficulties attendant upon the 'Big Freeze.'
In a detailed description issued to us at the end of the previous week, they explained how some areas, including Hampton Manor, were not on the gritting route and had unadopted roads.
They also provided information on the scale of their recent operations, and the amount of work undertaken, plus the consideration already given to providing, and replenishing, salt bins or grit piles at various key points.
Priorities were set out, it being stated that once main routes were cleared less heavily trafficked roads were targeted.
The impracticality of salting all roads was stressed, although Mayor McKee had said this was something which was not expected, or needed, if residents were enabled to take charge of their own neighbourhood routes.
The local representatives' comments, and those of Roads Service, are detailed in the lead story on this week's Page 3.

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