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Friday, 3rd September 2010

Fylde drivers' suffer snow rage

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Published Date: 22 December 2009
HIGHWAYS chiefs today hit back at claims the Fylde coast's main roads had been left ungritted.
Many drivers were left fuming after roads became treacherous following the sudden snowfall yesterday and again overnight.

It is the heaviest snowfall on the Fylde coast in more than a decade.

Ten centimetres fell yesterday with more overnight.

The M55 was again badly hit and was today down to two lanes in both directions.

Among the worst affected main roads were Preston New Road, St Walburga's Road and Newton Drive in Blackpool, and Clifton Drive South in St Annes, where a car collided with a lamp-post outside King Edward and Queen Mary School.

East Park Drive in Blackpool was closed for about two hours yesterday after police deemed it was too dangerous for motorists.

Many bus routes have been affected. Services between Preston and Blackpool were cancelled earlier today.

And in Blackpool itself only Lines 1 (Airport to Fleetwood), Line 5 (Victoria Hospital to Halfway House), Lines 7 & 11 (Lytham to Cleveleys) and Line 14 (St Annes to Fleetwood) were running.

For more information on bus services affected call the Blackpoool Transport hotline on (01253) 473000.

While many of the major routes had clearly been gritted this morning, many remained treacherous with both ice and snow following another night of sub-zero temperatures.

Jez Evans, operations manager at Blackpool Council's Layton depot, said all the major routes had been gritted.

He said: "While we accept there may have been problems on some routes we have had teams out around the clock putting down extra grit to make sure motorists and pedestrians can get to where they need to go safely.

"The snowfall very quickly and that has hindered our operations as much of the grit will have been washed away.

"But we went out again straight away to treat the roads again and will do so over the next few days to make sure the roads are covered."

Many minor roads in Fylde and Wyre became impassable.

This led to angry calls council bosses had not done enough to clear the roads.

But County Coun Keith Young, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We are confident the main routes have enough salt to stand up to the weather.

"Of course salt is not a magic solution to ice and snow, but the fact that the priority routes have remained useable with care is a tribute to the hard work of our staff."

Trevor Roberts, managing director of Blackpool Transport, said: "The buses were running normally although some were late.

"A few did get stuck, mainly through lack of gritting. Our lads and girls did their best to maintain services as much as they could.

"We did struggle to get to some of the outlying areas, such as Staining, but we were able to get along the main roads and estates."

* Full story and pictures, see Tuesday's Gazette

Blackpool Council say there will be no bin collections today as workers are diverted to help with "snow issues."

Click here to see our selection of wintery snaps from accross the fylde!


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  • Last Updated: 22 December 2009 3:18 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Blackpool
 
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1

LeChic,

22/12/2009 09:09:45
Was wondering if Blackpool owned any snow ploughs??
2

baldred,

22/12/2009 09:11:35
Any chance of a basic information article that's updated throughout the day Gazette? You know, bus services, road closures any other bits.
3

,

22/12/2009 09:20:06
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
4

Mr RS,

22/12/2009 09:28:42
Yes we have limited resourses however what about the unemployed and the druggies which we have in abundance here in Blackpool, why dont we give them a shovel and tell them to clear snow. it's not as if they are not given enough money and don't forget their Christmas bonas which we hard working people of Blackpool pay for in our taxes and how many workers in Blackpool have struggled into work this morning and will not recieve a Christmas bonas or a pay rise this year. We are to soft in this country on the sponging layabouts who take take take and do nothing for this town.
If I have upset any of you giro chasing benifit grabbers then good and i hope this will strick a cord and get you out shovelling snow
5

elly207,

22/12/2009 09:33:09
Snow is lovely for Christmas but wish it could have waited until we have all finished work...
The roads need to remain gritted in order for the emergency services to carry out their fantastic jobs...
Please Blackpool Council.. don't let us down.
Hope you all managed to get to work safe this morning...
6

elly207,

22/12/2009 09:34:28
PS...Any news on Blackpool Airport?
Have any flights been cancelled/delayed?

7

billy hunt,

blackpool 22/12/2009 09:39:25
jez evans claims they have gritted ? i am a delevery driver working from 4pm till midnight i cover all blackpool and st annes and never once saw a gritter ? i think the gritting as been if any very very limited ? main roads like lytham road , stannes road , park road ,st walburgas , east park drive , all round the hospital ,round the ambulance station appalling ? do we not have snow ploughs anymore ? perhaps use our extortionate council tax to buy some !!!!! god help us if it was -40 like russia gets !!!!!
8

Syd Bailey,

Blackpool 22/12/2009 09:56:45
Well done MR.R.S get the lazy drug & alcohol scum out on the streets earning the ill gotten gains P.S, I wish all the genuine unemployed a happy xmas and hope your luck changes in the new year.
9

Local guy,

22/12/2009 10:16:32
If as much effort was put into gritting the roads as was put into the Queen's visit to the winter gardens we would be on a winner!
10

Carlos the Jackal,

Blackpool 22/12/2009 10:18:08
Stuff you lot I'm in Australia 35 Degrees here. Gritters Not Required !
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