St Albans is covered in a pretty thick blanket of snow. It happens to be one of the busiest weekends of the year with people buying last minute gifts and preparing for parties. Yet the state of the roads makes this extremely difficult.
The met office has issued the following advice;
During snow or ice
- Avoid travel if possible.
- If you must drive check the Highway Code for advice on driving in ice and snowy weather. A summary of the advice is: Take care around gritters. Don’t be tempted to overtake. Slow down — it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, pump the brakes don’t slam them on. If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly coloured to your aerial.
- If you go outside wear several layers of clothing and keep dry to prevent loss of body heat. Watch out for signs of hypothermia — uncontrollable shivering, slow/slurred speech, memory lapse and drowsiness and frostbite — loss of feeling in and pale appearance of fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Keep moving your arms and legs to help the blood circulate.
After snow and ice
- Be careful when walking or driving on compacted snow — it may have turned to ice.
- Take care when shovelling snow. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body and can be the cause of heart attacks in the vulnerable.
More local information available from the St Albans District Council’s website;http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/emergencies/winterweatherinformation/
The pretty snowdrops are out and so is the snow! Yes, St Albans is experiencing the familiar sight of snow yet again.
Nearby Luton airport has had to cancel many flights due to heavy snowfalls on the runway. However, local schools have remained open.The road conditions are reasonably good, if you manage to ignore the huge potholes! More snow is expected tomorrow night.
March is almost here so lets hope we can enjoy more spring blossoms without the presence of snow!
For local weather information click on www.radioverulam.com/display or http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/st_albans_forecast_weather
There is no doubt that St Albans commuters have had their patience tested by First Capital Connect in recent months. But for those who would like a day out in London and don’t desire the delays of FCC to be part of it, is there an alternative?
Yes, there sure is! It’s the 712 Green Line Express Coach service from St Albans to Marble Arch (Oxford St) or Victoria Station.
I came across the Green Line team in December 09 when they were doing a promotion near the Town Hall. I managed to secure some £1 return tickets to London! Soon after, I undertook this bus journey with my kids. Even if it I paid the normal fare of £5 return, it really is good value.
The journey was pleasant, the coach in good order and we were in London within 80 minutes; no waiting on platforms, no squashing in trains and no underground changes….just good-old-fashioned sitting on one’s seat!
The evening return journey went as per the timetable and we were unaffected by traffic congestion, thanks to bus lanes. So I would suggest to St Albans commuters, that if you are tired of train cancellations and high costs, remember that there is pleasant alternative available in your own city. Even if you are not a bus fan, give it a try.
Notes for St Albans commuters; Green Line Express coaches run from 7am on weekdays. There are seasonal tickets, saver tickets, off peak and student tickets. Green Line also runs a service to Heathrow and Luton Airport. Their website is
www.greenline.co.uk and Tel 08448004411.
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