Without breaking Brigg Blog's self-imposed ban on the w-word, we will just point out a few facts about roads. Today we've been to and from the centre of Hull by car.
Once you get over to the north bank, the Clive Sullivan Way (A63) has been totally cleared of snow and ice - both lanes, plus lay-bys. Secondary roads in the city have also been cleared.
Meanwhile, in North Lincolnshire - snow and ice is still to be found along the A15 (from Barnetby Top to the Humber Bridge) with just one lane of the two clear in both directions. Plus Brigg's secondary roads still resemble a lunar landscape (eg Cary Lane, St Helen's Road).
Driving on the north bank caused me no concerns at all today, but two trips across Brigg were worrying.
You may think it unfair to compare council efforts in and around a big city with what goes on in North Lincolnshire. But compare the difference in council tax and you find Hull (Band B) £1,039.11 is best part of a couple of hundred pounds less than North Lincs (Band B) £1,232.78.
The Clive Sullivan Way is classed as a trunk road and thus maintained by the Highways Agency. My understanding is that they contract snow clearance themselves and it isn't part of local government expenditure. Only the M180 and A180 (and their spurs) are covered in North Lincolnshire.
ReplyDeleteAs for secondary roads, the heat island effect plus much more traffic probably serves to shift snow naturally quicker. Also, the population density is about 18 times higher in Hull, so while I don't know the difference in road length, it's likely to be less km per person.
That's not to say North Lincolnshire Council isn't less good at clearing snow, or doesn't charge too much council tax, rather that you're right: it's not a fair comparison.