I agree with SGM that we, as members of our local communities, should take more responsibility for clearing the snow. particualrly when there are large, unexpectedly large dumps like this for which councils are unlikely to be prepared (unless you want them to pay for lots and lots of equipment that may end up never being used).
Dh and I spent hours both last week (after the first snow fall) and on Monday and Tuesday clearing our own driveway (shared with our neighbours), our neighbours' cars (they were way on holiday and only got back at the weekend) and the area in front of the house.
Groskaka expresses concern that she would be liable if she were to clear in front of her house and someone were then to fall. From what I have read, this is an urban myth: provided you do so sensibly (ie you don't just clear by, for example, pouring some boiling water over the snow), there is nothing you can be prosecuted for.
In terms of general preparedness on the motorways, it is hard to see how anything could have been done to keep the traffic moving, short of closing the motorways, as once the roads were filled with rush hour traffic, it was always going to be difficult to clear them.
Dh and I watched the weather forecast on Monday morning and got no impression of such a large snowfall. Indeed the Glasgow twitter page made specific mention at about 10 that the band of snow should be through by 11am - when in fact it was about 2 before it stopped (GCC also make the point elsewhere on their web site that their contract for weather bulletins is with the Met Office)
This letter in last week's Herald was intersting:
^"Allow me to pass on to readers of The Herald some information bearing on traffic conditions, especially on the M8 (Glasgow to Edinburgh) on Monday.
The previous Labour/LibDem Scottish Executive handed over control of major roads to private operators (Bear, Amey). At the time there were concerns about these contracts, which were based on milder winters and saw staff and resources removed, including snowblowing equipment. In 2006, still during the Labour/LibDem period of office, Bear outbid Amey to win the contract in south-east Scotland ? estimated costs of £51m-£82m over five years. This contract, negotiated by the then executive, is now in force. Last year, acting as Opposition in the Scottish Parliament, Labour wanted to remove £30m from the winter roads budget.
May Howie, Kilbarchan.">
I have to say, the one thing I have not liked about the recent events has been the very unattractive party politics that has been played. I have to admit to some sympathy for Stewart Stevenson: what I heard on Newsnight was someone who was trying to congratulate the efforts of the people in the emergency services (and not getting drawn into the blame game that the interviewer wanted to play). He did apologise afterwards (and in his resignation letter) for not having ensured that there was more effective communication.