Snow: national paralysis

A former empire, which managed to conquer almost a fifth of the global population, a country with the seventh largest world economy, referred to as a key player in economic, military, scientific and political influences. A country whose government spent almost £40bn on defence in 2012, with a population who last year spent over £2.4bn on unwanted Christmas presents. A country which goes into a state of national paralysis with the signs of first snow.

I have been asking myself how is possible that such a, supposedly, powerful country with such a, supposedly, democratic government is unable to conquer10 cm of snow (or just under 4inches for those that have not yet made it across from Imperial Measurements)?

Every year it snows. And every year shock and horror fills the faces of millions of Britons who find themselves almost completely incapable in dealing with the fluffy white powder. How is it possible that one of the most technologically informed and digitally savvy populations is taken by surprise by a phenomenon that occurs every year?

From an outsiders perspective Britain may seem quite efficient, with regular snow reports, warnings, survival kits and as of recently we can even see an official Snow Code. (don’t believe me? Check out the Met Office website http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter/out-and-about/the-snow-code) Do all of these rules, regulations and reports have much impact on reducing the delays, cancellations and closures. Of course not. It seems like the whole country is at standstill. Again.

Global warming signs are everywhere. You have to walk with your eyes closed and ears clipped to avoid it. Every year the snow is predicted to fall. It is acknowledged, announced and broadcasted to the nation. So what goes wrong? Why is the country unable to provide a sufficient amount of grit and salt? Why are stores not stocked with winter tyres? I understand that we may feel cold, but with access to information and regular warnings how can we be so unprepared and shocked? It seems that may be the government is more efficient in resolving and interviewing abroad than ensuring that snow ploughs are running regularly.

What does the government do? They issue a “step-by step” guide which instructs the population how to clear a path from snow, use salt and the sun to melt it. Hooray.

Around 10cm is predicted to be residing across fields, roads, rooftops across the country. This layer of snow is nature’s lethal tool against the UK. According the BBC over 700 schools will be closed this week. The government has issued an “Amber Warning” and has classed the current conditions as “severe”. Small roads in rural areas are closed. Motorways jam packed, despite the official warnings to “stay at home”. Not to mention the M25, which is a suffocating mess. The current travel situation has been branded as “chaos”. Flights are delayed and cancelled. Commuting has become a nightmare in hours of endless traffic jams on black ice. In 2010 the British economy was losing out on almost 1bn a day because a significant number of shoppers were too terrified to venture out and make it to the high street.

What are the responses across the country? In the face of increasing snow disruption, Heathrow Airport has made one of the most ridiculous moves in 2010 reducing its investment in snow clearing equipment from £1.5m last year, to just £500,000. (On January 20th 2013 400 flights were cancelled completely and 111 more suspended, surely that cost them a little bit more than cutting the budget).

Warwick University has cancelled many of its lectures and seminars. The sports centre is running on reduced hours and many classes have been scrapped due to the “severe” danger. On Saturday night, however, 2000 students showed unswayed determination making it to the Student Union for the legendary (as some dare to call it) Skool Dayz. The ice and snow did not seem to affect 3 inch heals, skimpy clothing and widely exposed flesh. The University clearly underestimates the resistance to the cold and courage to beat the snow of its own students.

The official words from the government are far from reassuring: “things are far from normal”. How can such a developed country, with an immense spending power, allow itself to be slapped in the face by a few inches of snow?