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Topic ID 4948

18/12/2009 by Joby

roads this morning

Anyone able to give a report on the state of the roads around Hertford this morning? Need to get to work in Welwyn, but I'm a bit concerned as I can't recall seeing a gritter all week.


0 replies

Archived Replies

Reply ID 70335

18/12/2009 by spitfire

Went to Hatfield at 6.45am, Arrived at 7.30. A414 had one lane clear. Colleagues have got to Hatfield from Watford, Harlow & Stevenage. Hemel Hempstead & Luton have far worse conditions.


Reply ID 70336

18/12/2009 by spitfire

quote:
Originally posted by spitfire
Went to Hatfield at 6.45am, Arrived at 7.30. A414 had one lane clear. Colleagues have got to Hatfield from Watford, Harlow & Stevenage. Hemel Hempstead & Luton have far worse conditions.
Far less traffic as quite a few schools are closed including Simon Ball & Sele


Reply ID 70339

18/12/2009 by Joby

Schools closed - really? There's not that much snow, surely they could have made the effort. Will be heading out shortly now that my wife has finally arrived back from London - trains to Hertford cancelled last night.


Reply ID 70341

18/12/2009 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Joby
Schools closed - really? There's not that much snow, surely they could have made the effort. Will be heading out shortly now that my wife has finally arrived back from London - trains to Hertford cancelled last night.
I think it is a case of where the staff come from rather than if the children can get there. Friend of ours has had to go to Lister Hospital this morning for chemo so hopefully he will be OK. Anyone know what the hill up to Sele was like? Did the salt grit it?


Reply ID 70342

18/12/2009 by Joby

quote:
Originally posted by Marilyn I think it is a case of where the staff come from rather than if the children can get there.
I suppose so - it's just that schools seem to close rather too readily at the slightest sprinkling these days. Great to see Millmead open this morning and the headmistress outside with a shovel - old school!


Reply ID 70343

18/12/2009 by Paul

Nelson Street is an ice-rink. No gritting. Van slewed half way across can't move. Car turning from Wellington Street into Nelson Street in the middle of the road, has become so dangerous and unstable it has been tied to the lampost at the top of the street. With rope from the van man. P


Reply ID 70344

18/12/2009 by Joby

Just witnessed the Wellington Street/Nelson Street fiasco. Byde Street is a slippery bugger too, but once you're off Beane Road things perk up a bit.


Reply ID 70346

18/12/2009 by Capitalist piglet

Anyone take a photo of car "moored" in Nelson Street...............? I already have a picture in my mind


Reply ID 70347

18/12/2009 by Ray_by_the_Beane

quote:
Originally posted by Marilyn
quote:
Originally posted by Joby
Schools closed - really? There's not that much snow, surely they could have made the effort. Will be heading out shortly now that my wife has finally arrived back from London - trains to Hertford cancelled last night.
I think it is a case of where the staff come from rather than if the children can get there. Friend of ours has had to go to Lister Hospital this morning for chemo so hopefully he will be OK. Anyone know what the hill up to Sele was like? Did the salt grit it?
I caught the Greenline 724 from Hertford to St Albans at 9:27 (on time). The hill at Sele Farm was fine as were most of the roads to St Albans. I only saw one gritter up until St Albans, but within St Albans there were several plus their council sanding the paths.


Reply ID 70348

18/12/2009 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
quote:
Originally posted by Marilyn
quote:
Originally posted by Joby
Schools closed - really? There's not that much snow, surely they could have made the effort. Will be heading out shortly now that my wife has finally arrived back from London - trains to Hertford cancelled last night.
I think it is a case of where the staff come from rather than if the children can get there. Friend of ours has had to go to Lister Hospital this morning for chemo so hopefully he will be OK. Anyone know what the hill up to Sele was like? Did the salt grit it?
I caught the Greenline 724 from Hertford to St Albans at 9:27 (on time). The hill at Sele Farm was fine as were most of the roads to St Albans. I only saw one gritter up until St Albans, but within St Albans there were several plus their council sanding the paths.
Thanks Got to get to Tewin early tomorrow so hoping it will be Ok as that is the best route..........


Reply ID 70350

18/12/2009 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Paul
Nelson Street is an ice-rink. No gritting. Van slewed half way across can't move. Car turning from Wellington Street into Nelson Street in the middle of the road, has become so dangerous and unstable it has been tied to the lampost at the top of the street. With rope from the van man. P
I doubt they could get a gritter up there even if they wanted to.


Reply ID 70352

18/12/2009 by Paul

Van man took a chance and got lucky. Locals have attempted to cone the street off, as a warning. People taking no notice. Driving up and sliding back down again. Usual Rat-Run mentality. Always have been gritted (3,000 cars a day). P

quote:
Originally posted by Marilyn
quote:
Originally posted by Paul
Nelson Street is an ice-rink. No gritting. Van slewed half way across can't move. Car turning from Wellington Street into Nelson Street in the middle of the road, has become so dangerous and unstable it has been tied to the lampost at the top of the street. With rope from the van man. P
I doubt they could get a gritter up there even if they wanted to.


Reply ID 70354

18/12/2009 by thefair1973

is there no grit in the yellow bins to grit the roads with?


Reply ID 70356

18/12/2009 by Paul

There are no bins Gritter lorry went down Wellington and Molewood, just now. Missed Nelson Street, a local said it was empty anyway. Hertford highways designate from Beane Road to Byde Street as "Post gritting" rather than "Pre Gritting". Lets hope it comes back, full, before night sets in (-7 c). P

quote:
Originally posted by thefair1973
is there no grit in the yellow bins to grit the roads with?


Reply ID 70358

18/12/2009 by KarenS

Byde Street was gritted last night, as it gritted my car as I was on the way up the hill!


Reply ID 70359

18/12/2009 by Joby

quote:
Originally posted by KarenS
Byde Street was gritted last night, as it gritted my car as I was on the way up the hill!
Interesting - the grit appeared to have made not the blindest bit of difference this morning (as I attempted to turn right into Wellington Street and my car carried straight ahead down Byde Street [:0])


Reply ID 70361

18/12/2009 by Paul

Interesting. They say one thing, and do another. P

quote:
Originally posted by KarenS
Byde Street was gritted last night, as it gritted my car as I was on the way up the hill!


Reply ID 70362

18/12/2009 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Paul
There are no bins Gritter lorry went down Wellington and Molewood, just now. Missed Nelson Street, a local said it was empty anyway. Hertford highways designate from Beane Road to Byde Street as "Post gritting" rather than "Pre Gritting". Lets hope it comes back, full, before night sets in (-7 c). P
quote:
Originally posted by thefair1973
is there no grit in the yellow bins to grit the roads with?

Didn't realise that, now found the page on herts direct with the maps etc. very interesting. The gritter came up our road at lunchtime today even though we are on the no gritting list so they must have really extended the gritting today.


Reply ID 70368

18/12/2009 by Mr P

The corner of Railway Place into Railway Street c.14.30 today, flat as a pancake, skidded round corner, luckily all parked cars were fairly well away from the bend. I was grateful that I was driving our 'tank' (4x4, fully loaded with logs and Mrs P's never ending Xmas shopping) as I doubt that our little toy car would have handled the skid so well. Not a grain of grit in sight. Ware Road and all roads to Brookfield Farm were lovely. I suspect journey delays may also be caused by others who don't know how to drive in this sort of weather.


Reply ID 70370

18/12/2009 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by Mr P
The corner of Railway Place into Railway Street c.14.30 today, flat as a pancake, skidded round corner, luckily all parked cars were fairly well away from the bend. I was grateful that I was driving our 'tank' (4x4, fully loaded with logs and Mrs P's never ending Xmas shopping) as I doubt that our little toy car would have handled the skid so well. Not a grain of grit in sight. Ware Road and all roads to Brookfield Farm were lovely. I suspect journey delays may also be caused by others who don't know how to drive in this sort of weather.
You could always slow down.........


Reply ID 70375

18/12/2009 by thefair1973

I was in a 4x4 today on Foxholes and doing less than 5mph and still managed to skid when breaking. it's OK the gritters doing the main roads, but tonight when I went down to the salt bin at the end of our road, asll that was in it was a few coke bottles and crisp packs. Is there a number I can call to get it re-stocked, as it's obviously not been refilled since February.


Reply ID 70376

18/12/2009 by Enoughofthat

quote:
Originally posted by thefair1973
I was in a 4x4 today on Foxholes and doing less than 5mph and still managed to skid when breaking. it's OK the gritters doing the main roads, but tonight when I went down to the salt bin at the end of our road, asll that was in it was a few coke bottles and crisp packs. Is there a number I can call to get it re-stocked, as it's obviously not been refilled since February.
I can't answer your salt question but I hope you'll forgive me for picking up on another point. You should not be surprised that your 4x4 skidded on ice at 5mph. 4x4 will skid on dry tarmac, that's not what it's for. It's designed to provide traction in slippery conditions and needs power to the wheels to do even that. It's meant to keep the car going forward not to stop it skidding. IMHO it is massively overrated as an on-road safety benefit, particularly if it gives a false sense of security. While I'm in anorak mode, ABS isn't designed to slow the car quicker either. Its primary purpose is to stop the front wheels locking up under heavy braking to allow the vehicle to be steered, hopefully out of trouble, but steered none the less. In dry conditions ABS can take longer to slow a vehicle under emergency braking. In ice conditions nothing is more important than driver observation and hazard anticipation with smooth acceleration, braking and steering. Even at 5mph, if the car skids it's because of too much speed for the conditions.


Reply ID 70382

19/12/2009 by steven

A 4x4 with fat tyres will be terrible in the snow. While it does give you more traction, you still only have as much grip as anyone else. Something with skinny tyres that can cut through the snow will be much better. It's also worth turning off ABS if you can (or pull the fuse) in freshly fallen snow.


Reply ID 70402

20/12/2009 by Paul

Nelson Street ice rink back in business. No grit all weekend. Should be fun tomorrow morning :-( P


Reply ID 70405

20/12/2009 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by Paul
Nelson Street ice rink back in business. No grit all weekend. Should be fun tomorrow morning :-( P
What you need to do is campaign for it to recognised as an important local link, then you'd get grit.[;)][:D]


Reply ID 70417

21/12/2009 by Joby

quote:
Originally posted by Paul
Nelson Street ice rink back in business. No grit all weekend. Should be fun tomorrow morning :-( P
Nelson Street absolutely fine at 7am this morning, despite it being about -4 degrees. Brrrrr.


Reply ID 70419

21/12/2009 by Paul

Gritter arrived at 6 AM - four days late! I feel sorry for the 60 or 70 folk over the weekend, who slid to a halt halfway up Nelson Street and had to gingerly and perilously, reverse back down. The damage they did to their cars, and the locals' parked cars in the process. Not to mention the three drivers who sat for an hour or so waiting for their friends and families to come and extricate them. The look of panic on the faces of drivers skidding down the road - brakes on, with their back wheels locked, desperately searching for reverse before they reached the junction at the bottom. The Council and Highways of all people know the rat-run is a major carrier of traffic. It is a disgrace that they refuse to take responsibility for their own highway policy. P

quote:
Originally posted by Joby
quote:
Originally posted by Paul
Nelson Street ice rink back in business. No grit all weekend. Should be fun tomorrow morning :-( P
Nelson Street absolutely fine at 7am this morning, despite it being about -4 degrees. Brrrrr.


Reply ID 70432

21/12/2009 by steven

A414 seems to be gridlocked currently, at least from the WGC roundabout onward. North Road was also quite solid, has there been an accident in town?


Reply ID 70433

21/12/2009 by Firedupinside

quote:
Originally posted by steven
A414 seems to be gridlocked currently, at least from the WGC roundabout onward. North Road was also quite solid, has there been an accident in town?
Port Hill is absolute CHAOS tonight and I can't imagine how bad Thieves lane is!


Reply ID 70436

21/12/2009 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by steven
A414 seems to be gridlocked currently, at least from the WGC roundabout onward. North Road was also quite solid, has there been an accident in town?
No accident in town. Traffic is queuing up the London Road so there appears to be an obstruction to the east of town.


Reply ID 70437

21/12/2009 by Leo Densian

London Rd very dodgy around 5pm which was probably the cause


Reply ID 70698

06/01/2010 by lemonjelly

MORE SNOW... Does anybody know what the roads in Hertford are currently like, especially the hills?


Reply ID 70699

06/01/2010 by codek2

fairly bad, however the snow has now stopped falling. even a414 was 20-30mph no more. Oh; Also the road that goes 414 into sele up that steep hill isnt yet closed, but there are several people stuck on it, and various abandoned cars. i suspect it'll close if we get more snow.


Reply ID 70701

06/01/2010 by Steve

Heavy snow forecast for 1500


Reply ID 70704

06/01/2010 by KarenS

What site was that forecast from please?


Reply ID 70705

06/01/2010 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by KarenS
What site was that forecast from please?
Not sure if it the one Steve uses but I use this one http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/hertford_forecast_weather.html


Reply ID 70706

06/01/2010 by Golden

The Met office is forecasting heavy snow from 1500 - its being reported on the news sites such as the BBC weather. I also have it on good authority that if a band of snow up near the Wash comes south to meet up with the other band there could be some intensification around rush hour tonight. The forecasts have been very accurate over the past few days.


Reply ID 70711

06/01/2010 by ~Sarah~

A bit of info on the roads: [url]http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=475013[/url]


Reply ID 70713

06/01/2010 by SallyB

The Met Office website says that, at Stansted Airport, there will be a temporary period of snow and 800 ft visibility between noon and 6 pm, with broken cloud at 200 ft, then it will become, between 5 pm and 8 pm, over 10 km visibility with no significant weather although there is a 30% probability of another temporary period tomorrow between noon and 6 pm of light snow showers, 4 km visibility and broken cloud at 1000 ft.


Reply ID 70717

06/01/2010 by Millie

imagine how busy and therefore more dangerous the roads would be if all the schools were open...at least with most shut the traffic is a lot quieter.


Reply ID 70720

06/01/2010 by James007

Up until 9pm by the looks of things. Click local forecast and enter your SG13/4 bits. [url="http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=uk7dayx7;type=;sess=/"]Weather Forecast from netweather[/url]


Reply ID 70721

06/01/2010 by Admin

http://www.hertford.net/weather.asp


Reply ID 70722

06/01/2010 by Eyeone

No Vehicles going up Port Hill at 11.00. Line of cars on Cowbridge waiting to turn around at the bottom of Port Vale and head back towards town . No sign of any gritters. Looks like a few snow flakes just starting to fall again.


Reply ID 70724

06/01/2010 by Golden

Many thanks to the white van man who has just deliberately soaked and covered my young daughter and her friends in filthy slush along the ware road. She's now bawling her eyes out and off home to put her brand new clothes - mostly white - into the wash. Who said that we shouldn't stereotype!! (P.S. if you are that WVM look stereotype up in the dictionary).


Reply ID 70726

06/01/2010 by SallyB

Heavy(ish) snow now in Bengeo - bit before 3 pm.


Reply ID 70727

06/01/2010 by jennywren

Could it be the same WVM who did the same thing in the same place and soaked two teenagers in the last snowy spell? Laughed as he did it too.


Reply ID 70728

06/01/2010 by Golden

Jenny - I hope he's proud of himself for bullying some twelve year olds! Unfortunately this weather can bring out the worst in some drivers and its made me angry!! On the brighter side I really hope that all of those who had the opportunity to have a play in the snow today had a wonderful time, I'll look forward to seeing all of the snowmen when I get home and hearing the toboganning stories.


Reply ID 70731

06/01/2010 by thefair1973

it's not just kids they're getting. Some fool in a HGV soaked me and my daughther in her pushchair on Gascoyne way just before Which? and he knew he was doing it. No other vehicle on the road, dual carriageway so he drives at speed through the huge slushy puddle sending a 7ft wall of freezing dirty slush over both of us.


Reply ID 70736

06/01/2010 by steven

Welwyn Road closed from the Sele Farm mini roundabout to the roundabout at the bottom of the hill by Hertford North. A gritting lorry tried to get down the steep slope on Fordwich Rise to Welwyn Road, has slipped into someone's Golf, and is now anchored to a tree. Thieves Lane is absolutely fine. To the very unhelpful policewoman blocking off the road in Sele - thanks for the condescending and lengthy lecture, thanks for accusing me of being angry when I merely pointed out the Rise is a crescent and I'd just come from there, thanks for graciously "letting" me past so I could go home, you're so very important. Stuck standing in the cold a bit too long?


Reply ID 70737

06/01/2010 by gemipicorn

It's not just vans & lorries in snowy conditions..... Earlier last year, after a torrential downpour, walking back from Bengeo Primary I saw a guy in a suit and tie driving a big 4x4 with kids in the back. He deliberately drove go through a HUGH puddle in Bengeo Street and virtually drowned some poor kids in front of me whilst in hysterics about it! [:(!] Oops sorry, off topic [:I]


Reply ID 70738

06/01/2010 by steven

Oh forgot to add, for those of you that were splashed by vehicles, it's actually illegal to do that so if you get their plate, you can report them.


Reply ID 70739

06/01/2010 by thefair1973

I like how the gritters go to Fordich Rise but wont come near the cheaper housing!! God knows when I will get my car back outside my house, but i'm not prepared to risk it today. No salt in any of the bins on this estate. My 1000th post by the way, yippee, green stars for me!!


Reply ID 70740

06/01/2010 by steven

The didn't do anything, both the Rise and Hill are under 4 inches of snow [:)]


Reply ID 70741

06/01/2010 by Eyeone

I was going to say that Steven but I suppose these things happen so quickly. A little more courtesy on the roads certainly wouldn’t go amiss.


Reply ID 70742

06/01/2010 by carlos fandango

What REALLY worries me is that if I get home tonight, I wont be able to get to work tomorrow.


Reply ID 70744

06/01/2010 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by carlos fandango
What REALLY worries me is that if I get home tonight, I wont be able to get to work tomorrow.
Better to be snowed in than snowed out.[;)]


Reply ID 70748

06/01/2010 by SallyB

Just walked to the Co-op for supplies and Bengeo is like an apocalypse. Apart from the Co-op, which is heaving with people...and friendly staff [:D] Warren Park Road is almost idyllic!


Reply ID 70751

06/01/2010 by azzza

Witnessed 3 accidents in the same spot in Hertford Heath this morning (on the bend next to The Hertford Heath Garage) .. One crash brought down a lampost .. then two cars drove into the van mending the lampost .. it was like Wacky Races all over again!


Reply ID 70753

06/01/2010 by SallyB

Gosh! I saw evidence of two cars having mounted the pavement near the one of the corners on Warren Park Road today. The snow itself is beautiful but the roads are very slippy.


Reply ID 70781

06/01/2010 by lemonjelly

I got to work in Hatfield safely this morning and came home this afternoon without any mis-haps. Thank you to all those who posted updates on the state of the roads in Hertford, much appreciated. Port Hill was fine by the time I drove up it, about 3:15pm, which was a massive refief. I haven't decided if I'll venture out tomorrow.


Reply ID 70891

09/01/2010 by Harran

quote:
Originally posted by thefair1973
I like how the gritters go to Fordich Rise but wont come near the cheaper housing!! God knows when I will get my car back outside my house, but i'm not prepared to risk it today. No salt in any of the bins on this estate. My 1000th post by the way, yippee, green stars for me!!
Huh? I have not seen a gritter here & looking at the state of the roads, especially the hill into Fordwich Rise , if it did drive round here it did not grit anywhere [:0]


Reply ID 70901

09/01/2010 by Golden

The councils have been told to only grit the main roads on the 'resilience network' I believe as grit stocks are running dangerously low - I know some areas only have a few days left. This means only the main roads and high risk roads will be gritted - side roads won't be done any more so its best to keep off them as much as possible. Extract below taken from the HCC website. Highways Hertfordshire Highways will continue to salt the main roads over the weekend as well as stepping up pavement clearance. All main roads are open, but drivers are urged to take great care as conditions are likely to remain difficult for the next few days. Daily salting runs are planned and snow ploughs are on standby. Central government is now co-ordinating the supply of salt nationally. Due to having to focus supplies on main roads, at present salt bins are not being refilled.


Reply ID 70935

10/01/2010 by jez_p

I read that as - "We are not allowed to grit anything other than main roads because Gordon Brown and his posse say so."


Reply ID 70941

11/01/2010 by Golden

Jez, yes its known as 'contingency planning' - trying to avoid running out of grit altogether. Its an exceptional weather condition but if you want to reduce it to a little bit of electioneering then that's your choice. I'm sure that over the next few months we're going to get a lot more of these cheap political comments and it may be time for me to avoid any internet forums altogether until the elections are over!!


Reply ID 70943

11/01/2010 by CSP

Hear hear!


Reply ID 70948

11/01/2010 by 2929paul

quote:
Originally posted by Golden
The councils have been told to only grit the main roads on the 'resilience network' I believe as grit stocks are running dangerously low - I know some areas only have a few days left. This means only the main roads and high risk roads will be gritted - side roads won't be done any more so its best to keep off them as much as possible. Extract below taken from the HCC website. Highways Hertfordshire Highways will continue to salt the main roads over the weekend as well as stepping up pavement clearance. All main roads are open, but drivers are urged to take great care as conditions are likely to remain difficult for the next few days. Daily salting runs are planned and snow ploughs are on standby. Central government is now co-ordinating the supply of salt nationally. Due to having to focus supplies on main roads, at present salt bins are not being refilled.
Does the fact that Byde Street, Wellington and Nelson have not been treated over the last few days indicate that the route is not considered a part of the resilience network and that they are not main roads and qualify as side roads? The number of school run parents getting stuck halfway up Byde Street this morning would indicate Byde Street is a significant route to lots of people.


Reply ID 70949

11/01/2010 by Golden

Paul, plenty of information is available on the HCC website which is where I'm getting my Herts information. I've just looked at the map on the site and Byde st. is indeed coloured blue - unfortunately I couldn't find the key to discover what blue indicated! The latest is pasted below. Also I went out for a walk yesterday and took in some of Bengeo on the way back, there didn't seem to be much of a problem as far as I could see but I guess the conditions changed again overnight. Highways Hertfordshire Highways has been gritting the roads almost continuously since December 15, and the long-range forecast is for at least another fortnight of cold weather, making this the longest continuous cold spell for nearly 30 years. National salt supply allocation is now being administered by the Department for Transport (DfT) and on Friday they asked local authorities across the UK to reduce their grit and salt consumption by 25%. In Hertfordshire, we have already been following all the relevant recommendations made to conserve stocks. In line with DfT guidance, and actions being taken by other highway authorities, Hertfordshire County Council has therefore decided that key A and B roads, plus roads that provide access to essential emergency services like hospitals and key fire stations, will now be our priority routes for salting runs. This plan has been developed following consultation with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service. We are also continuing to work closely with the police during this period to ensure that the most essential public services continue. We will take their advice on any immediate operational issues or trouble spots. Information on which routes will be salted, along with winter driving advice, can be found at http://www.hertsdirect.org/salting We will keep the situation under review. Should salt supply increase, we will look to return to treating our normal high priority network. In the meantime, we continue to explore all possibilities for augmenting our normal salt supplies. Even if the material we can find is not of a quality we could spread on the roads, if we can resume the salting of high priority footways or the refilling of salt bins, we will do so.


Reply ID 70950

11/01/2010 by Gilberto

quote:
Originally posted by 2929paul
quote:
Originally posted by Golden
The councils have been told to only grit the main roads on the 'resilience network' I believe as grit stocks are running dangerously low - I know some areas only have a few days left. This means only the main roads and high risk roads will be gritted - side roads won't be done any more so its best to keep off them as much as possible. Extract below taken from the HCC website. Highways Hertfordshire Highways will continue to salt the main roads over the weekend as well as stepping up pavement clearance. All main roads are open, but drivers are urged to take great care as conditions are likely to remain difficult for the next few days. Daily salting runs are planned and snow ploughs are on standby. Central government is now co-ordinating the supply of salt nationally. Due to having to focus supplies on main roads, at present salt bins are not being refilled.
Does the fact that Byde Street, Wellington and Nelson have not been treated over the last few days indicate that the route is not considered a part of the resilience network and that they are not main roads and qualify as side roads? The number of school run parents getting stuck halfway up Byde Street this morning would indicate Byde Street is a significant route to lots of people.
Byde St was nasty this morning, and I'd like to thank the person who spent hours ushering cars up and down the hill, even though they were silly enough to try and drive up or down it. It just goes to show that the council don't consider Byde St to be a main thoroughfare, even though they've had multiple meetings to discuss the problem. I take this as either the council is either in denial about the rat run problem, or the councillors didn't bother to tell the highways people. Either way, they're not addressing the issue.


Reply ID 70951

11/01/2010 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by Gilberto
It just goes to show that the council don't consider Byde St to be a main thoroughfare, even though they've had multiple meetings to discuss the problem. I take this as either the council is either in denial about the rat run problem, or the councillors didn't bother to tell the highways people. Either way, they're not addressing the issue.
http://www.hertford.net/blog/default.asp?id=662


Reply ID 70953

11/01/2010 by 2929paul

Golden, Thanks for the link. Very interesting. Byde Street, like many others, is listed as "post" status i.e. to be gritted past snow/icing, as opposed to "pre". However I cannnot recall seesing a gritter down Byde Street or any of the lower Bengeo roads even before the salt supplies started running low. I also found a statement on the site where the council actively encourages residents to clear the pavements outside its homes. It's on the same page where it says there are salt boxes located strategically on the streets for residents to help themselves and gives the locations.


Reply ID 70954

11/01/2010 by Gilberto

quote:
Originally posted by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Gilberto
It just goes to show that the council don't consider Byde St to be a main thoroughfare, even though they've had multiple meetings to discuss the problem. I take this as either the council is either in denial about the rat run problem, or the councillors didn't bother to tell the highways people. Either way, they're not addressing the issue.
http://www.hertford.net/blog/default.asp?id=662
Yes. There is a review underway. My issue is the council must be aware that there is a large amount of traffic running up and down Byde St in the mornings, so it should have gritted the road today.


Reply ID 70957

11/01/2010 by Dell Boy

The situation locally and on the National scale will not be helped according to the forecast that the deep cold is set to return in the near future with a moderate risk of further snowfalls.


Reply ID 70958

11/01/2010 by spitfire

Maybe the gritters have problems getting past all the badly/illegally/selfishly parked cars


Reply ID 70960

11/01/2010 by Marilyn

As I read it main roads and bus routes are the priority, that is why The Avenue is treated from Bengeo Street to Cowper Cres but not beyond.none of The Drive, Westfield, Duncombe etc have seen any gritting or salt this last week.


Reply ID 70983

11/01/2010 by Gilberto

quote:
Originally posted by spitfire
Maybe the gritters have problems getting past all the badly/illegally/selfishly parked cars
Ha ha! Yes. Maybe... It seems the cars are causing the problem.... What if the people who live there agree not to park near their houses, and everyone else agrees not to drive through there? Problem solved! [:)]


Reply ID 70987

11/01/2010 by James007

I think it is disgusting the roads haven't been gritted along Byde, Nelson and Wellington Streets. I park along there to use the HN station and have found it practically impossible to negotiate parking into a space today. It was truly a nightmare. [}:)] [;)]


Reply ID 70993

11/01/2010 by Anorak

[:D]


Reply ID 71017

12/01/2010 by spooky

What Anorak said!


Reply ID 71037

12/01/2010 by night owl

quote:
Originally posted by spooky
What Anorak said!
[:D]


Reply ID 71039

13/01/2010 by dennismoore

What night owl said!


Reply ID 71042

13/01/2010 by Robbo

Byde Street, Wellington Street and Nelson Street - are they not residential roads that should only be used by locals? Use the car park at HN or the Bridgehouse![:(!]


Reply ID 71043

13/01/2010 by Woody

quote:
Originally posted by Robbo
Byde Street, Wellington Street and Nelson Street - are they not residential roads that should only be used by locals? Use the car park at HN or the Bridgehouse![:(!]
"Calm down Tubbs. We don't bother the outside world, we don't want it bothering us." (with apologies to The League of Gentlemen (again)) [:)]


Reply ID 71046

13/01/2010 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by Robbo
Byde Street, Wellington Street and Nelson Street - are they not residential roads that should only be used by locals? Use the car park at HN or the Bridgehouse![:(!]
Residential roads should only be used by locals? Did you make that up? If not I'd be interested to know where you got it from. Oh, and well done for biting [:D]


Reply ID 71047

13/01/2010 by Ray_by_the_Beane

In case anyone is travelling outside the Hertford area today, some of my colleagues attempting to get to St Albans have reported hazardous driving conditions and virtual gridlock getting out of Stevenage and into St Albans. It seems that the A414 is OK though. I was planning to work from home today anyway, which is just as well.


Reply ID 71048

13/01/2010 by Golden

Hertford was OK when I left but the A10 south was very busy too this morning all the way from Cheshunt through Enfield; conditions not too bad on the road it was just very slow going. When I arrived in work I was entertained by a BMW driving sideways up one of the local roads!


Reply ID 71051

13/01/2010 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by Golden
Hertford was OK when I left but the A10 south was very busy too this morning all the way from Cheshunt through Enfield; conditions not too bad on the road it was just very slow going. When I arrived in work I was entertained by a BMW driving sideways up one of the local roads!
? The A414 was horrendous. Long delays in both directions.


Reply ID 71053

13/01/2010 by SallyB

I chickened out and am working from home. I also have a car that goes sideways, even when it's not snowing. Not chancing it! The roads outside are pure white. About to venture by foot to the Co-op to get food to cook tonight for somebody who's coming from Stevenage - wonder if he'll make it *yikes*


Reply ID 71056

13/01/2010 by Leo Densian

Main roads were busy at 06.45 but no problems all the way down to the Blackwall Tunnel. Sarf of the river there seems to be much more snow - its still snowing where I am in Lewisham so don't think I'll be sticking around for long!


Reply ID 71061

13/01/2010 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Main roads were busy at 06.45 but no problems all the way down to the Blackwall Tunnel. Sarf of the river there seems to be much more snow - its still snowing where I am in Lewisham so don't think I'll be sticking around for long!
Been snowing here all morning so I would not leave it too late if you can avoid it! Everything is white again..............


Reply ID 71064

13/01/2010 by Leo Densian

Oh deep joy. Thanks for the info Marilyn!


Reply ID 71066

13/01/2010 by Marilyn

quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Oh deep joy. Thanks for the info Marilyn!
Thought that would please you........ I am sure the main roads will be Ok it is the side roads, ours has never cleared of snow so it just depends show clear yours was when you left this morning!


Reply ID 71067

13/01/2010 by Golden

Interesting - it must have built up after 7.30 then as there were no problems earlier. Still snowing in North London.

quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by Golden
Hertford was OK when I left but the A10 south was very busy too this morning all the way from Cheshunt through Enfield; conditions not too bad on the road it was just very slow going. When I arrived in work I was entertained by a BMW driving sideways up one of the local roads!
? The A414 was horrendous. Long delays in both directions.


Reply ID 71068

13/01/2010 by SallyB

It was certainly been building up over the day, since about 8 am. Everything white outside here too (Bengeo).


Reply ID 71069

13/01/2010 by Ray_by_the_Beane

I don't know if Port Hill makes a difference to the snow in Bengeo [:)], but here in Chambers Street at the bottom it is more like sleet than snow proper and the thaw seems well underway (also in Hertford centre itself).


Reply ID 71070

13/01/2010 by SallyB

The temperature decreases with increasing height above sea level so, yes, it will be (slightly) colder in Bengeo than it is in Hertford [:)]


Reply ID 71076

13/01/2010 by shunt

At Goldings it's thawing and snowing at the same time. The result is that the lying snow remains the same thickness but is wetter and more dense slush by the moment. Cleared areas are ultra slippery because they are continually receiving a fresh dusting on top of salt, which is about as bad as it can be for grip. Taking the car out would probably mean I'd not get back up the slope of my drive on return. If only I had milk for my coffee. I've been eyeing up the cows in the fields opposite wondering if I can wring one out over my cup. I'd imagine there's a bit more to getting milk out of one than it takes at the co-op.


Reply ID 71077

13/01/2010 by SallyB

Aw. I'm just off to the Co-op! Wish I could bring you milk, but not sure I'd get to North Road alive!! I'm trying to explain why I can't get to work in Cambridge in a RWD and you live in Hertford with a jeep and can't even get to work in Hertford. I rest my case.


Reply ID 71078

13/01/2010 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
Aw. I'm just off to the Co-op! Wish I could bring you milk, but not sure I'd get to North Road alive!! I'm trying to explain why I can't get to work in Cambridge in a RWD and you live in Hertford with a jeep and can't even get to work in Hertford. I rest my case.
It's the 45 degree slope outside my property. Without that it'd be a doddle. As for work, the inability to tow a 20ft trailer safely is the problem. I can get there, but there isn't much useful I can do until conditions improve.


Reply ID 71093

13/01/2010 by Dell Boy

quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
It was certainly been building up over the day, since about 8 am. Everything white outside here too (Bengeo).
It started Snowing in Hertford at 5.30 a.m. I can't say for Bengeo.


Reply ID 71094

13/01/2010 by Dell Boy

quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
The temperature decreases with increasing height above sea level so, yes, it will be (slightly) colder in Bengeo than it is in Hertford [:)]
That's not strictly true however that's a Bengeo - Hertford issue again. [;)]


Reply ID 71105

14/01/2010 by steven

Bah, where is the post by someone claiming that the council didn't bother to grit roads in the "cheaper housing areas" whilst they did around Fordwich (which they actually didn't, had they bothered to read)? Much post editing methinks, after the 15 minute limit!


Reply ID 71106

14/01/2010 by minnie

Page 4


Reply ID 71107

14/01/2010 by SallyB

Just watching cars struggling with the ice outside. Some are really struggling. Looks treacherous.


Reply ID 71111

14/01/2010 by Kitty Kat

quote:
Originally posted by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
Aw. I'm just off to the Co-op! Wish I could bring you milk, but not sure I'd get to North Road alive!! I'm trying to explain why I can't get to work in Cambridge in a RWD and you live in Hertford with a jeep and can't even get to work in Hertford. I rest my case.
It's the 45 degree slope outside my property. Without that it'd be a doddle. As for work, the inability to tow a 20ft trailer safely is the problem. I can get there, but there isn't much useful I can do until conditions improve.
You want to get yourself a Land Rover Defender - tows a trailer full of logs easily in any weather up and down our lanes and hills [:D]


Reply ID 71112

14/01/2010 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
quote:
Originally posted by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
Aw. I'm just off to the Co-op! Wish I could bring you milk, but not sure I'd get to North Road alive!! I'm trying to explain why I can't get to work in Cambridge in a RWD and you live in Hertford with a jeep and can't even get to work in Hertford. I rest my case.
It's the 45 degree slope outside my property. Without that it'd be a doddle. As for work, the inability to tow a 20ft trailer safely is the problem. I can get there, but there isn't much useful I can do until conditions improve.
You want to get yourself a Land Rover Defender - tows a trailer full of logs easily in any weather up and down our lanes and hills [:D]
The tow vehicle is not the issue. Traction and grip are two different issues. Even the big military 4x4 doesn't help much with the latter. My premises are in a high density area, legendary for resident's poor parking habits. A long trailer can drift sideways in these conditions and not follow the tow vehicle accurately, particularly when empty.


Reply ID 71113

14/01/2010 by Kitty Kat

Lighten up - just a joke - don't go getting all 'Bengeo' on me [:D]


Reply ID 71116

14/01/2010 by steven

quote:
Originally posted by minnie
Page 4
Oh yes, my mistake [;)] At least the footpaths around the Hertford North bridge are clearing, the bridge itself is still a bit treacherous though. I offered to help an old lady very carefully walking across this morning, she declined, "I may be slow but I'll get there in the end", bless her!


Reply ID 71121

14/01/2010 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Lighten up - just a joke - don't go getting all 'Bengeo' on me [:D]
Sorry if it came out like that. Wasn't my intent. I do have a vehicle that would tow the trailer to the North Pole if required, but in this weather it follows in a very approximate way, a bit like a brick on a string. I just feel it's probably a bit anti-social to take all the neighbourhood's cars for a drag round the block.[:0] I'm not the world's most popular guy as it stands!


Reply ID 71124

14/01/2010 by Marilyn

quote:
I'm not the world's most popular guy as it stands!
I can't believe that is true [:D]


109 replies