Man-power Scarcity Affects Snow Clearance
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THE man-power problem confronting the authorities responsible for the clearing of roads after snowfalls is illustrated by information obtained by our Yornishire correspondent concerning West Riding County Council.
Immediately there was a heavy fall of snow in peace-time, this authority would engage, through the employment exchanges, up to about 20,000 men for snow shifting. Nowadays, it is doubtful if even a hundredth part of that number could be obtained through the same channels. During the past two winters the highways department has obtained the services of soldiers, and as the position, is now more acute than ever it is aimed to increase the help from the military authorities: The department's snowploughs, which number some hundreds, have been added to by the purchase of ,29 this year and 20 last year, and steps are being taken further to increase the number before the winter. Snow shifting can thus be speeded up by shortening the road circuits into which the ploughing work is divided between the machines.
It was emphasized to our correspondent that so soon as there is a substantial fall of snow the ploughs begin to ' work on ' the circuits to which they have already been allocated, and the arrangements. for gritting and salting come into operation. Vehicles for the work are provided by the county council, by local authorities in its administrative area, and by hauliers employed by the county and local authorities.
With reference to the trunk roads controlled by the Ministry of Transport the county authority acts as the Ministry's agent for their maintenance, and, consequently, is responsible for clearing them of snow.