Icy streets and a Twitter "spat" between mayor George Ferguson and Cllr Tim Kent
BRISTOL woke up to icy streets this Saturday morning.
Most main roads in the city are clear, but drivers are being warned to take extra care after cold temperatures overnight turned snow on the roads into black ice.
-
George Ferguson
Gritting crews continue to salt the city's priority roads in a bid to minimise travel disruption.
And although some of the snow on secondary and back roads is beginning to melt away, many of the city's hilly streets are treacherous.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The city council reports that all three Park & Ride services at the Portway, Brislington and Long Ashton are operating a normal Saturday service today.
Bristol Airport is now operating as normal again but rail and buses services continue to be disrupted.
First is operating most bus services as normal, although some have been diverted to avoid icy and hilly streets.
The company is asking bus users to check its website before travelling.
There are still no South West Trains service between Salisbury and Bristol Temple Meads.
Railway operator First Great Western said some trains are still disrupted between Bristol and London Paddington.
Passengers should again check before attempting to travel.
The M48 Severn Bridge is still closed to all traffic but the M4 Second Severn Crossing is open as normal.
The Bristol Rovers versus Exeter match set for today at the Memorial Stadium has been postponed.
Meanwhile, the Guardian is reporting a "spat" between Bristol mayor George Ferguson and the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the city council, Tim Kent, after the decision was made not to make extra deliveries of grit.
Mr Ferguson said extra grit bins had been provided but he resisted piles of grit being dumped as it would lead to more "mess and cost".
He reportedly said it would cost an extra £20,000, while Cllr Kent argued that not providing the grit would mean some residents were "snowed in".
The Met Office still has a yellow weather warning for ice in place for today and Sunday, advising people to "be aware" of icy conditions.
No more snow is now forecast until Tuesday, when light snow is expected to fall between 6am and 12 noon.
Comments
by welliedog2
Monday, January 21 2013, 10:29AM
“Snow falls on Bristol, life goes on, end of story.”
by ToryToMyGrave
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:14PM
“Always good to see Kent attempting to politicise the whole thing and just making an ass of himself.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, January 20 2013, 6:02PM
“@GreatDallas - ". . . same cant be said for Windmill Hill, Totterdown & Novers Hill."
Or Blackberry Hill, Bell Hill, Channons Hill, Broom Hill, Lodge Hill, Royate Hill, etc.
The clue is in the name (mostly).
The easiest thing to do is say to drivers, "Carry a spade, and if you get stuck there should/might be some grit nearby for you to use."”
by greatdallas
Sunday, January 20 2013, 5:26PM
“Not much call for the use of salt/grit in the busy north street area George is there, same cant be said for Windmill Hill, Totterdown & Novers Hill.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, January 20 2013, 1:01PM
“Here is a link to The Guardian story; Bristol Mayor / Tim Kent Grit Spat
http://tinyurl.com/bkwczpt
"There was a spat between the mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, and the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the city council, Tim Kent, after the decision was made not to make extra deliveries of grit. Ferguson said it would cost an extra £20,000. Kent argued that not providing the grit cost millions of pounds in lost business as people could not get to work."
If the Lib/Dems spent £20 GRAND 'dumping' grit last time then that was a waste. Better to have asked residents in strategic places to keep a couple of bags in their gardens until needed. I'd have had some!
Neighbourhood Partnerships and/or Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators could have identified volunteers. If snow is to be a regular occurrence, a bit more organization is required before the event.
Still if Gary Hopkins and Tim Kent gain a few more votes 'blowing their own trumpet', then it's all been worthwhile!”
by franknebula
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:57AM
“Often thought about bags of grit/salt on street corners, then it would be the responsibility of residents to distribute,”
by TerryMedlock
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:57AM
“Looking fwd to seeing T. Kent in Whitchurch Park any day soon. Probably close to the election in 2014.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:29AM
“Two years ago grit was 'dumped' by the side of the road without telling anyone and was quickly covered with snow!
I noticed this (unused) dump when the thaw set in and by that time it was causing a drainage problem and general mess.
If I had known it was there I would have probably used it. A grit bin (or sturdy bag) would have not become so easily covered, would have been more easily seen and not made such a mess.
I am pleased to hear that Tim Kent has finally turned his hand to helping the community (or his electorate) by being seen clearing snow and grit.
Perhaps the mayor could make this Tim Kent's permanent job and pay him by the hour!”
by gary_hopkins
Sunday, January 20 2013, 7:35AM
“Kaptain von
I do not know how your local Cllrs progressed this but in our partnership (Knowle ,Filwood & Windmill Hill) and I know in some others key points were identified for grit dumps and 2 years ago these proved very valuable as they could be very quickly and cheaply delivered to . It is these that apparently the new administration is refusing to use and possibly some grit bin refilling.
It is not possible for council staff to clear every rd but it is surprising how effective local volunteers can be if you give them the tools.The main rd routes are mostly clear but very frustrating if you cannot get to them and some pavements need to be cleared.”
by Kaptain_Von
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:08AM
“On the subject of grit and grit bins, in 2010 I was part of a small group of south Bristol residents who pointed out to local councillors that the entire Bedminster and Southville areas had less grit bins than Hotwells and Clifton (a ratio of about 3:1 in favour of Hotwells and 4:1 in favour of Clifton). We were assured that this was being looked into but three years later nothing has changed and this latest bout of snowy weather sees as many as 25 streets (many of which are built on slopes) being expected to use a single bin that has not been filled since last year. As a result, a number of streets are like sloping ice rinks and a danger to the elderly and infirm.
Oh and just as a side point...this is the same area that our new mayor lives in.”