Popular Post ll Posted February 23, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Likely never to to keep everyone happy unless we get a 24/7 gritting service to every house in Shetland. Think Shetland has a lot better standard of service though than most parts of Scottish mainland. Gritting is just a tool to fight against poor road conditions and cannot mitigate lack of experience, inability to fit appropriate winter tyres and simply going too fast on slippery roads. Edited February 23, 2016 by ll Scorrie, crofter, Capeesh and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capeesh Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 I realise there's not a magic money tree but would doing the main roads an hour earlier really cost that much more?There's also a cost (both human and monetary) from road traffic accidents caused by icy conditions.Would Sullom Voe Terminal and the Shetland Gas Plant be willing to help financially to look after the safety of their workers travelling to/from their sites?Would a change in starting/finishing times in the winter help?If it saved one life it would be worth it in my book but I understand the council has to make difficult decisions when allocating their budget. Chalklate and Fistrail 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post thumper1 Posted February 23, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 I think drivers need to take a bit of responsibility too. Far too many people are under equipped on wintry roads. A shovel in the boot and a decent pair of boots on your feet and you can throw grit down to help you out of a situation. A bit of common sense goes a long way. If we lived in Iceland etc you would soon have to learn to be equipped! mogling, Itchyfeet and patrick 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 We have a good gritting service and as thumper 1 says nothing stop people tae help dem selves . If they sic canna afford to keep schools open then why on earth waste money on a 24 / 7 gritter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooney1 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 I think it's definitely worth reviewing. Gritting is about safety but also keeping the private sector going, and so it may need to adapt to fit changing trends. I sometimes think the public sector forgets they wouldn't exist without the private. whalsa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whalsa Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 There is logic to both sides of this argument. As far as I am aware no one is having a go at the gritter men as they do a fine job in difficult conditions. Perhaps many people do need to learn how to drive to the conditions.It is a valid question however to ask if the gritters could start earlier in order to have the roads ready for the first period of heavy traffic. If it simply comes down to cost then it is another example of how Shetlands services are unfairly suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roachmill Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Yep, two sides to this coin. It certainly doesn't help when employers throw their toys out the pram and pressure employees to make dangerous journeys. My work are more than accommodating I may add... but others certainly aren't. Lady Roachmill was told to walk over a mile to "get the bus" after several attempts to get her car up an untreated icy hill at the crack of dawn. All this in 0 degree head-on snow. whalsa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyboy Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Likely never to to keep everyone happy unless we get a 24/7 gritting service to every house in Shetland. Think Shetland has a lot better standard of service though than most parts of Scottish mainland. Gritting is just a tool to fight against poor road conditions and cannot mitigate lack of experience, inability to fit appropriate winter tyres and simply going too fast on slippery roads. I'm not sure that anybody is asking for that are they?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyboy Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 I think drivers need to take a bit of responsibility too. Far too many people are under equipped on wintry roads. A shovel in the boot and a decent pair of boots on your feet and you can throw grit down to help you out of a situation. A bit of common sense goes a long way. If we lived in Iceland etc you would soon have to learn to be equipped! That is if there is grit. There is a very bad bend and junction right beside my house. The grit bin vanished years ago.I used to grit the area and the bus stop across the road with grit I bought myself but to be honest I haven't bothered this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tirvaluk Posted February 24, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 The gritters start at 5.30 and 6.00 am, the grit only really starts to work when the traffic gets among it. And hour earlier wouldn't make a difference. I drive to town many times in the middle of the night with bad roads but if you have the proper tyres and take your time you never have a problem. Unless there is a lot of snow and drifting then you should stay at home. mogling, Twerto and crofter 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ll Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 And if they increase gritting, likely be a petition against SIC for stone chips and cracked windscreens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urabug Posted February 24, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Well how did we manage many years ago when we did get snow and ice ! Simple there was studded tyres and chains,but of couse we do not get enough "winter conditions" nowadays to make it economical to fit studs(if they are legal?) and as for chains,there would not be enough room in the wheel arch to allow them to be fitted on many cars. Also life was far more interesting way back then as we did not have so many safety barriers.Going down Wormadale and many more places demanded a lot more skill and nerve. The problem is everyone has to drive like maniacs,if we all slow down and leave plenty of distance between us and give ourselves plenty of time it is amazing what can be done safely. It must make more sense to plan ones journey to allow plenty of time to get safely to ones destination,than to drive fast get involved in an accident end up in hospital ,probably unable to work for weeks and have to fill up all sorts of insurance claim forms,with possible police charges as well. The financial costs also have to be though of. If the council were to put down more grit this would only encourage use all to drive faster mogling, Twerto and crofter 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damissinlink Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 would it no mak more sense to lay down grit earlier in the morning and to stop gritting on the main roads through the height of the day, many a day the boys are out gritting when there is lots of traffic moving about, so the cars etc is probably keeping the snow and frost of the roads, its early morning and late at night i think it should be layed down, a couple hours earlier on the main roads could see them on the B roads sooner too, and starting from tea time till later at night would help too George. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urabug Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Sometimes as the snow melts it dilutes the salt content and water running across the road in an area that is shaded from the sun can still freeze and be a hazard. That is why the gritters need to be out during the day sometimes. Even a passing shower can cause problems over a very small area during the day . Never assume just because a road has been treated that it will be frost free,black ice can still be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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