Stay off the roads say emergency services

SLOW CLIMB: The scene this morning on the A27 at Titchfield SLOW CLIMB: The scene this morning on the A27 at Titchfield

Hampshire’s adverse weather office was in operation throughout the night and continues to co-ordinate a multi agency response to the snow and ice.

Worst affected areas overnight included the A3, which police appealed to HGVs not to use and the M3, which was closed at junction nine because of a jackknifed lorry.

It is hoped that recovery will have taken place and the M3 reopened by 5am.

Highways Agency and council gritting and ploughing vehicles have been treating strategic and priority routes, and responding to specific problems as they occur.

Hampshire Constabulary deployed 4x4 vehicles to many areas of the force in advance of the snow arriving, which enabled officers to respond to emergencies throughout the snowy conditions.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service provided 4x4 vehicles to assist South Central Ambulance Service in responding to emergency calls.

Local military personnel and vehicles have been used to help emergency services reach the most inaccessible areas.

Because of freezing temperatures, roads will remain dangerous into the morning rush hour even when it stops snowing, and police are urging people to consider whether their journey is really essential.

Many roads are passable with extreme care, but reducing non-essential journeys decreases the risk of road traffic collisions and keeps emergency services free to respond to those who need them the most.

If you must travel: Prepare yourself for your journey – first ask if your journey is really necessary.

If it is, pack warm clothes, food, hot drinks, a fully charged mobile phone and a shovel. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

2. Prepare your vehicle for your journey – make sure your vehicle is well maintained, clear of snow and ice and that your tyres are at the correct pressure.

3. Drive safely – keep your distance, avoid hard braking or acceleration and steer gently.

If you skid, ease off the accelerator, and try and avoid braking hard.

If you are staying home, take a moment to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may need some help with shopping, clearing a safe pathway or keeping warm.

In addition, Hampshire Constabulary is reminding officers and staff who cannot get to their normal place of work to ring into work, and where possible report to their nearest police station.

Comments(13)

facebiter99 says...
7:39am Thu 2 Dec 10

just stay in bed & dont worry about the bills

Matt Probert says...
8:10am Thu 2 Dec 10

Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them!


Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads.

Matt

Stupideditor says...
8:22am Thu 2 Dec 10

So what about the fact that South Central Ambulance service has it's own fleet of 4x4 vehicles, oh yeah the echo like to slate the local ambulance service.

smithy75 says...
8:30am Thu 2 Dec 10

it's ok for emergency services to "say" that - but try telling your employer, who the majority of, have no care for how "safe" it is for you to get to work - just as long as you get there.

coffeebean says...
10:29am Thu 2 Dec 10

Everyone is talking about the emergency services has anyone given a thought to the District nurses who have to see patients in the community. We get no help we have to walk to work and walk to our patients.

southy says...
11:25am Thu 2 Dec 10

"Stay off the roads say emergency services"
where do they want us to drive, on the pavements, don't think people on foot will be to happy about that.

allsaintsnocurves says...
12:32pm Thu 2 Dec 10

Matt Probert wrote:
Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them! Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads. Matt
that's what internet banking is for!

badengk1 says...
1:24pm Thu 2 Dec 10

Great bit of reporting. Is hoping the M3 will be clear by 5am yet this was published at 6.17am

Hannibal Lecture says...
1:31pm Thu 2 Dec 10

Matt Probert wrote:
Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them!


Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads.

Matt
Fortunately, banks do actually make allowances for this. Also, you may not realise, but the staff at the bank don't actually live there so there's a good chance they won't be able to make it into work anyway.

southy says...
1:58pm Thu 2 Dec 10

Hannibal Lecture wrote:
Matt Probert wrote:
Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them!


Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads.

Matt
Fortunately, banks do actually make allowances for this. Also, you may not realise, but the staff at the bank don't actually live there so there's a good chance they won't be able to make it into work anyway.
well if they don't live close to where they work, then is could be a problem every year, the answer is move closer to where you work or get a transfer to a closer branch or change jobs.

Donald2000 says...
2:28pm Thu 2 Dec 10

allsaintsnocurves wrote:
Matt Probert wrote: Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them! Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads. Matt
that's what internet banking is for!
I think what he means is being able to pay in; you cant pay in cheques and cash using IB.

wilson castaway says...
2:30pm Thu 2 Dec 10

southy wrote:
Hannibal Lecture wrote:
Matt Probert wrote: Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them! Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads. Matt
Fortunately, banks do actually make allowances for this. Also, you may not realise, but the staff at the bank don't actually live there so there's a good chance they won't be able to make it into work anyway.
well if they don't live close to where they work, then is could be a problem every year, the answer is move closer to where you work or get a transfer to a closer branch or change jobs.
If only everything in life was that simple.

Hannibal Lecture says...
2:49pm Thu 2 Dec 10

southy wrote:
Hannibal Lecture wrote:
Matt Probert wrote:
Unfortunately I have to get to the bank. The banks don't make allowances for the weather, if my account goes over they will bounce payments and charge me, how nice of them!


Incidentally, 4 inches of snow in my part of Harefield, and slippery roads.

Matt
Fortunately, banks do actually make allowances for this. Also, you may not realise, but the staff at the bank don't actually live there so there's a good chance they won't be able to make it into work anyway.
well if they don't live close to where they work, then is could be a problem every year, the answer is move closer to where you work or get a transfer to a closer branch or change jobs.
The answer to what? Are you even dimly aware of what I was actually talking about? Nope, thought not. The comment was a slighly colourful way of saying "the banks are probably closed", no need for you to try and use it to prove to everyone how wonderfully insightful you are about absolutely everything on the planet, southy. Methinks your - grossly misplaced - intellectual vanity is blinding you to the glaringly obvious.

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