Winter of discontent

January 11th, 2010

Anyone dreaming of a white Christmas certainly got what they wished for this winter.

It feels like Scotland is in the early stages of another ice age and the novelty of the snow has well and truly worn off for most of us above school age.

Icy roads and slippery pavements have been causing havoc with cars, public transport delays and falls in the street.

For the elderly and infirm house-bound by the snow, it led to long periods of isolation, even for those who normally manage fine on their own.

Many feel the response to this winter crisis from the various agencies hasn’t been strong enough and I would have to agree it could have been better.

But I would still pay tribute to those workers gritting our roads in the cold, the busy medics dealing with our bumps, bruises and broken bones and the unsung heroes who have cleared paths for neighbours and friends.

What is clear is that lessons have to be learned from this situation, whether it be a once-in-a-decade crisis or an annual occurrence.

Everyone has a part to play in helping to get through this but what is not acceptable is the complacency we have seen in some quarters.

If we can organise public health messages for issues like swine flu or drink driving why has there been an absence of co-ordinated action on one of the worst winters Scotland has seen for many years.

Reacting to the situation, such as setting up websites, is simply not good enough.

Even if a pensioner stuck indoors could get on to the web, they would take little comfort from a link to a local authority webpage, which gave them a helpline number for a service that was closed for the holidays!

Unfortunately, that was the experience of many when what they were really looking for was some practical help that would allow them to get out for their bread and milk.