Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Rev. Andrew Carter (7th Jan 2010 - 17:29:20) After returning from Lynchmere where the roads are looked after by Surrey C.C. and have been both cleared by snowplough and gritted, it was an appalling contrast to enter Liphook where the roads are still full of snow and ice and virtually impassable by anything that does not have 4-wheel drive. 2 articulated lorries had got into the village at 3 pm today, but then got stuck once here. I have written a letter of complaint to Hampshire C.C. via their website as they seem to be quite incompetent at road maintenance compared with their neighbours in Surrey. Can I ask other Liphook residents to also write and demand some action as I suspect that if they get enough complaints they may actually do something about it? Their web-site is here: hants.gov.uk/roads/.. I suggest using the Highway Defects link.

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Carol Spooner (7th Jan 2010 - 18:22:14) I think you will find that this bit of road is in West Sussex and not Surrey so it is them you have to thank.

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - gary (7th Jan 2010 - 19:28:48) That part of the road is in West Sussex ( hoping to get to work in Midhurst tomorrow ) Once out of the village I hope thing will improve. Although I hear Shottermill area roads are bad ( Surrey CC)

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Steve Read (7th Jan 2010 - 20:49:42) Past history has always showed that West Sussex CC are either better prepared and more equiped than Hampshire. The snow prior to Xmas it was noticable going to work driving from Liphook towards Haslemere in the early hours, as soon as you drove under the railway bridge on the Haslemere Rd and entered into West Sussex the road was clear, dropping into Haslemere and back into Surrey the roads were again very icy with no gritting having been done. Why? I don't know maybe its the size of the respective districts.

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Owen (7th Jan 2010 - 23:42:29) I think it’s fair to say that HCC just doesn’t care about Liphook: it’s not Winchester or Southampton. But fear not good citizens, word is central government has now taken control of grit coordination...may the snow god have mercy on us all.

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Paul Robinson (8th Jan 2010 - 07:34:21) Acting on Andrew's suggestion I contacted North East Hants roads website and reported the fact that the town had not been visited by a snowplough or a gritter. I emphasised the fact that the Headley Road in particular was a vital route for residents of Passfield, Headley, Lindford, Whitehill and Bordon to the A3. I have an incident number and I await their eventual if late arrival. Paul Robinson

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Melanie (8th Jan 2010 - 09:22:40) But we have had a snowplough down the Headley Road and so presumably round other key roads in the village, saw the tractor twice on Wednesday. You can tell as there are piles of snow on certain corners (like near the bridge at the station). [Editor - no evidence of snowplough down Haslemere Road]

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - tracey h (8th Jan 2010 - 11:57:03) Well, if they have any intention of getting the schools open again next week, they will also have to look at clearing the side roads - the layby on Longmoor Rd is completely blocked for starters and I would imagine The Avenue is also treacherous. Or I suppose the children could walk to school for a change ..... (4x4 owners, now's your chance to get back!).

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Paul Robinson (10th Jan 2010 - 17:19:17) Had occasion to go to Midhurst on an important job and I can verify Rev Peter's report. As soon as I left the village the roads were remarkably clear. However I have to say that we have had some tip top attention in the Headley Road in the last twenty four hours and the road and the square are looking remarkably better for it. as I write I can see the flashing lights on a snow plough as it applies itself to Tower Road. Well done to these operators. Paul Robinson

Re: The state of Liphook's roads!!! - Sumi Olson (10th Jan 2010 - 19:06:26) "Some real world advice from a continental climate about driving in severe cold and snow conditions. Drum brakes can freeze up. This includes after you have left the car overnight with your handbrake on. Expect to lurch or stall when pulling away. In severe cold, below -15C, before you turn the ignition key flash your main beams - this takes a bit of battery power and thaws it a bit inside. It also tells you if you actually have a frozen battery (yes, really) before you really kill it by trying to start. If your wheels slip, try to pull away in a higher gear - in second rather than first which gives you more gentle pedal control. If you are stuck, in real trouble, where your wheels are slipping badly, to pull away resort to slightly deflating the drive wheel tyres - this gives them a larger area of contact with the road. Do not do this in deep snow as you lower the road clearance and risk getting stuck completely. To get uphill, wobble your steering wheel gently and rapidly from side to side, an oscillating motion. Works wonders. A good idea is to leave your windscreen wipers lifted up overnight, even by putting snowballs under them, so they do not freeze onto the glass and blow your fuse when you try to start them (or forget you left the controls in intermittent mode) In general, do buy and use winter tyres in winter months. Even in normal winter conditions, at anything below 7C, they are much better at gripping on cold roads - even dry and cleared, treated ones - because their rubber compound is softer and sticky in the cold. Summer tyres go really hard and slip in the cold. (Think how some shoes slip on ice and some don't. It's the rubber mix, not the tread pattern that matters the most) You get half a year's use out of each set of tyres so they last twice as long in total, but after the fourth year their material will be inferior compared to new, even if the car was not driven much. Remember - you are not alone on the road, and your biggest risk is from other road users, though. So if you do not have to travel, stay at home. Václav Pinkava, Prague, Czech Republic" More tips from Canadians and others experienced with cold weather... news.bbc.co.uk/...

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home