The Problem that Snow Places on the UK

Another week has come round surprisingly quickly. In fact I was taken back with how soon another Tuesday had arrived. But another Tuesday means another issue; but more light hearted this time, from Guns (in the previous post) to Snow.

Its supposed to snow again in Bristol today. Joy. I really do love the snow; the way it makes everything look idyllic and magical. The fun that is inevitably going to be had with friends, frolicking around on the downs or in the garden. For me the snow touches into everything that was good about childhood, and brings back fond memories. The snow doesn't have to come at a particular time or location; after Christmas and even snow on the ski slopes and at home is perfect for me. The University closures, the lie in and then the inviting cold of the snow beckons once again. Such fun! I think you all get the message that I love the snow. But its not because its snow, its because of its scarcity; the fact that its rare and de facto, precious. So I guess you must be wondering why on earth I would choose something, so arbitrary, and which for all intensive purposes that I love to be discussing on this blog today. Well that ladies and gentlemen is simple... Money.

No I am not talking about the massive amount of sponsorship I get from advertising the product Snow,  but instead discussing the economic problems that snowfall creates in the UK. I am sure you will all be relieved to know that I have a simple yet cheap solution. So when it snows in the UK, there is a culture prevalent that means that everything will come to a grinding, resounding halt. I can remember vividly, anytime the forecast the night before had predicted snow, I would be up at 07.00am, radio on listening to see if the powers that be had granted a snow day at school. Its the same with every child and teenager up and down the country I can imagine. A couple of inches of snow will bring everything to a stop and this needs to change. Buses don't run, business don't open as travel is treacherous, planes don't leave for destined locations around the world, and frankly this is unacceptable. The 2010 winter snow was has been estimated to have cost the UK economy anywhere from half a billion to one point two billion pounds a day in lost revenue, sales, work etc depending on whether you believe the Head of Researcher at RSA or the economists from the Channel 4 news team and the economist's economists. I have statistics on my monitor now showing that quarter slump in the economy and that analysts blamed the snow for our dip into the red. In a world that is dealing with financial institution collapse and recession and economic downturn across much of the world, losing six billion in five days seems utter madness. The worst bit is that it is avoidable. I'm not talking about controlling the weather, but changing the status quo.

So here to my plan of action. Its rather simple; change the culture of the UK when snow arrives. Instead of this destructive culture where we look for the snow for an excuse to get a day off work and a lie in, and to have a laugh in the snow, why not change that? There are two things I require government to do. One requires investment of a small amount in keeping trains and airports running, and having more people clearing roads, the second is about this culture. Some of you may scoff and say 'Changing the culture of a place is more difficult that you think Rah rah rah'. But in truth its quite straightforward. Government should demand that its personnel come into work even if there is snow on the ground. Of course there should be lee way for people who are late and in difficult circumstances. But I think you will find that the incentive of not being sacked is rather a potent one. If Government takes the initiative with this, big business and ordinary business will too, or if not then they should be persuaded to. If everybody Expects things to run smoothly, and it be business as usual, then guess what? It Will! With schools still open, parents don't have to skip work, with banks open the high street will open. Hey Presto! There is an argument that people don't come to work not because it is due to some national systemic laziness but in fact that it is dangerous to drive on roads. So, let me ask you how countries that get seasonal snow regularly deal with it? They have a greater investment in services yes, but most people have chains for their tyres. If you live in a rural area with bad roads that are not gritted you may find more trouble, but honestly that is was community is for, and you can trek to the nearest bus stop to get to work. If the government announced plans that come what may, they expected employees to be at work, and the private sector did the same, I can guarantee you that imports of chains, and then sales for public use would go through the roof. With a campaign targeted at making drivers aware of the changes and how to drive safely in the snow there shouldn't be any more casualties than there are now. So this winter in the UK we got a few inches of snow, except maybe for Scotland and the highlands which will for obvious reasons get more than is average for the UK. So here is a photo of a Canadian road, a country that has long seasonal spells of snow.

That on the sides of the road has to be at least 7 metres tall of snowfall. Really we should have nothing to complain about here in the UK when we get a few inches... But we do, because we are British. People are expected to get to work, its part and parcel with living in Canada. We should really take a lesson out of their books. 

So earlier I mentioned the need for government spending in changing attitudes. I strongly believe that with government spending in the areas outlined shortly and with the expectation of business as usual, we can build a new culture. The argument has always been not to invest in greater methods of dealing with the snow because, "it doesn't happen every year", "it would be a waste of government spending" and more. Do these ring bells? Well they should do because every year some junior minister is marched up onto the camera and repeats the same jargon again and again, year after year. And yet, the snow comes almost every year, the last three to four years it has come without fail. So it would not be a waste of resources in the long term. It is another expense but surely the Government can no longer be as short sighted as it has been and neglect this issue any longer. Government only needs to spend in a few areas, some I have mentioned already; public educational campaign nationwide. Other aspects that need to be sorted are investments in more gritters, bulldozers to drive away snow from roads and more people to do these jobs. With this investment here, more roads can be kept clear, people will be more willing to drive. Airports need greater abilities to clear snow from runways or heat runways, buses need to be fitted with chains, and train tracks need to be kept clear. These last three objectives don't need to be necessarily done with public money either. They are independent companies, and should take the responsibility for maintaing a good service, so BAA and Great Western and other train service providers, start providing a reliable service to customers. I think this is a little mean to ask private enterprises to fork out, so government assistance is necessary, but the option for no government intervention is quite possible. With travel and logistics working as they should on any other normal day, the country will run like clock work. It may very well be a sizeable investment needed, but I would not believe you if you said it was going to cost six billion to implement this every year. With the need for new gritters etc, British business can be supported, keeping contracts, and safeguarding jobs which is an optional bonus within this veritable utopia that I imagined.

I think the point is that it will not take a lot of brain power, effort or capital to get this started. If I can imagine a reasonably watertight solution to these problems then the civil service can do too. I believe that I am not asking too much of Government or the public, the main issues to do with money and safety have in my mind been satisfied with the proposals put in place. There is perhaps the exception of the elderly in this equation of sorts, but they should behave in the ways that they would if they were not able to get around due to snow anyway, namely stay at home. Adequate caring institutions should be able to bring residences hot food and supplies if its needed. The best thing is that the snow will still be there after work, or after school. Its not going anywhere and the precious hours that will be enjoyed in the snow will be all that more special because its rare and precious even more so than now because the usual working day will exist. I might be tempted to research this more and deliver this to government depending on feedback.

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