No schools again on day three of the big freeze
Thursday 7th January 2010, 2:30PM GMT.
Up in Torteval even goats were taking police advice not to go out unless absolutely essential. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0897985)
ALL schools and colleges were closed today as Guernsey’s freeze entered its third day.
The airport runway was covered in ice preventing flying in this morning, affecting hundreds of passengers and mail and paper arrivals.
Police warned motorists to be careful and make only necessary journeys, although conditions were better than yesterday’s.
‘If anyone is thinking about driving in the south of the island I would recommend seriously reconsidering that,’ said Sergeant Martyn Harris.
‘Not much snow has fallen but where it was has frozen solid.’
Around three millimetres fell overnight at the airport.
Roads were not as bad in the north but Education ’s Jon Williams said the northern schools closed too because staff would be unable to get in.
‘We were advised that travelling conditions were significantly difficult, particularly in the south of the island, and felt the only safe thing to do was close all schools,’ he said.
Bus services to the south were also badly affected, according to Island Coachways.
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I understand the argument about salt on the roads causing water pollution, but the reason given for not gritting the roads (could be dangerous for motorbikes once the ice has melted)seems rather weak.
For as long as I can remember, certain roads have been gritted when we have had road conditions similar to those we have now in some parts.
Come on States Works, please get shovelling!!
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God knows how people cope in Canada, Russia, Greenland etc….if we can’t even handle three millimetres of snow (!!!) I had to chuckle yesterday upon hearing IslandFM proclaim a ‘big freeze’ with….wait for it…..temperatures of MINUS ONE!!!!
It’s totally pathetic how underprepared this island is for such events. On the slow crawl to work yesterday I did not see one single States vehicle or worker spreading grit or sand, the pavements were pretty treacherous, the cars even more so.
I also fail to see how if the colleges could manage to get to school, the states schools couldn’t, nor why they declared the schools shut last night before we even knew what was going to happen – not much, it turns out…any excuse to stay in bed, eh states workers…
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Forget Canada, Russia and Greenland in Harrogate we had 8 inches on monday night, and 3 inches the following night. (Thats inches not millimeters) OK, some schools closed the first day, but everything was open yesterday.
Why can’t teachers just walk to school?
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I think there is no need to close schools, people need to go to work life doesn’t stop of little snow and ice .The teachers could walk and those who cant they can stay home. Surly people who work at school live close so shouldn’t be a problem .
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I am fed up with people going on about the likes of Canada Russia Greenland or even Yorkshire those poeple are used to those conditions Guernsey is not. I see woodenspoon its another go at the states workers its not the workers fault its their management, they obviously have a reason for not gritting the roads so just get on with life like the majority of the islanders do.
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It is comical but then with our narrow roads, the lack of MOT for cars and Guernsey drivers not used to the conditions then to try and stop 1 fatality is probably worth it. Driving in my 4wd yesterday, the vehicles causing the most issues where vehicles that probably would not pass the UK MOT and tyres more bald than my Dad plus others who looked so scared they were about to cry. Asking my kids to walk the 3 miles each way with Guernsey Drivers on the road..not doing it.
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Who Cares??
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Many teachers did get to their schools even though they had been belatedly closed. Policy used to be that all teachers went to their nearest school and taught there for the day. This has now changed. As was the case during swine flu outbreak last year, most teachers do all they can to make sure they get to work!
This is more a case of the kids being brought in by bus. It appears that it is Island Coachways services that determines whether schools are open or not. As we try to get the children to be brought by bus this means it is inevitable that when a bus service doesn’t run or is delayed, many children (can be up to 10%)are late or don’t make it to school!
However the Chelsea tractors plough through with one small child and huge emissions, snarling up the roads into town to make sure the colleges can stay open.
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I agree with John – you can’t compare Guernsey to Greenland and Russia. If snow became as widespread here as in those countries we’d learn to cope much better.
Nevertheless I couldn’t understand the schools closing today. I can remember going to school in far worse conditions than this about 20 – 30 years ago. Cars are far better equipped these days, as well as 4x4s. Have we all gone soft?
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Well lucky you Avenger – obviously you don’t have to forfeit 2 days pay to look after your stranded kids.
If every other normal person on the island is expected by their employer to make their way to work in one way on another, I don’t see why it should be any different for teachers. Why couldn’t Education exercise a little common sense and open the schools slightly later (10a.m.) to give people the time to make their way in? Most primary school children live within a reasonable walking distance to their respective schools.
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PC is right! Yes the school kids could have walked, but with the roads and pavements so icy it is an accident waiting to happen, especially with the inexperience of some drivers in certain conditions.
I think it is rather comical that people compare Guernsey to places that receive regular snow. Also, some people have been unaware how different the higher parishes are to the lower ones during the ‘big freeze’.
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What if cars were not invented, what would ppl be doing then?
nowhere is to far away in GSY
i bet if they were giving away free toys at A/C the kids would walk then and from afar
they are safe when playing out in it.D
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I agree that it does seem feeble amount of snow to cause such disruption – but having spent half an hour in a car sliding up and down Les Eturs it was ovious that the black ice was a very real problem.
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I guess those complaining didn’t even both to go for a walk, some places had ice all over the pavements, if you expect children to walk on their own on an icy pavement and not have an accident, you must be foolish! Falling on tarmac doesn’t half hurt either.
We don’t get snow/ice over here often, just let children have the day off, it doesn’t do much harm, infact it may save some lives. Take a look at the death in Jersey.
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Coco no where is far in Guernsey! sorry! would you walk from Torteval to town? if you would you are a braver person than most of us on this island, it is not difficult to drive in these conditions if you are carefull.
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John….I live in Torteval and guess what i work in town and have been walking..with a friend who lives in st peters.. not sure what the problem is with the white stuff
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john i agree.
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John… i live in Torteval and work in town and guess what i have been walking with a friend who lives in st peters to work.not quite sure what the problem is with walking.
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coco
With respect i find some of your postings a suspect. On another thread you claim you know how much is made on the construction of prperties through your friends and on here you walk from torteval to town?
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John. i just get my facts right befor posting.
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sorry J last com at bbc
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When bad weather is forecast the junior schools should give out worksheets for the pupils to take home and work on if school is cancelled. The senior school pupils should be able to access their work online at home via the Guernsey Grid for learning and if they don’t have the internet in their homes then I’m sure a neighbour or friend who does could help out. That way learning is not interrupted and parents do not have to think up so many ways of entertaining children at home. It is very bad planning on the schools’ parts that this did not happen as the terrible weather was not unforeseen.
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