After the endless rain, now comes the snow!  Most schools in Slough closed at midday yesterday due to the snow, and Slough Borough Council also closed most services – including MyCouncil, leisure services, halls and libraries until Monday.

The Council has provided a web page to keep residents informed. It also urges motorists to check conditions before setting out, although reports that main roads in the area are well gritted.

It published a gritting routes map in September to show which roads in Slough will be gritted.

Slough’s Winter Maintenance Plan also provides a detail minute-by-minute schedule of when those roads will be gritted when conditions trigger the need.

Thames Valley have also appealed to people not to use their vehicles unless absolutely necessary – and if they do get stuck, NOT to abandon their vehicles. If they do they may obstruct emergency service vehicles and major roads or motorways and it will be the driver’s responsibility to pay for the cost if they are removed.

It gives the following advice:

• Prepare yourself for the journey: check road conditions, plan your journey before setting out and leave extra time for the journey if travel conditions are poor. Use major roads where possible.
• Pack warm clothes and blankets, boots, food, drinks, a fully-charged mobile phone, a torch, jump leads, tow rope, first aid kit, warning triangle, de-icer and a shovel. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
• Prepare your vehicle for your journey – make sure your vehicle is well maintained, that all lights are clean and bulbs are working, that it is clear of snow and ice (particularly the windscreen) and that your tyres are at the correct pressure and depth tread. Use antifreeze and screen wash and ensure the battery is reliable.
• Drive safely, even where roads have been treated. Even if there is no snow, driving conditions are expected to be difficult, with black ice likely.
• Keep your distance from the vehicle in front, avoid hard braking or acceleration and steer gently. Avoid wheel spins by using low revs and the highest gear possible. If you skid, ease off the accelerator, and try and avoid braking hard.
• If you get stuck in the snow, an old rug or mat under a slipping wheel should provide traction to help get you out.

Persistent commentator on local affairs “Judge1066″ has lashed out at school closures, contract Council staff protected by their union from “getting their little pinkies cold” and how well “this once great nation used to deal with 6 to 10 foot snow drifts”.

What do YOU think: sensible precautions or Health and Safety gone mad?

Or just a damned good excuse to stay at home for the day and get over those January blues?

Related Articles

Snow pushes back opening for refurbished Westfield centre

Related External Links

Police warning after ‘numerous crashes’ in snow yesterday (Slough Express)