The great city of Leeds has been under a blanket of snow since the evening of January 4, causing mass disruption on the roads, rail, and airport. As is usually the case when it snows, the temperatures have struggled to get above zero degrees Celsius during the day, and the mercury has plummeted to minus three overnight.
Despite living in a city with an oceanic climate, many Leeds residents are baffled by the recent snowfall and freezing temperatures, which have resulted in icy roads and paths.
Local groups on social media platforms such as Facebook are awash with residents complaining about the condition of roads and paths in their area. Many bemoan the lack of gritters despite being shown evidence that the gritters have been out. Others seem flummoxed by the fact that some snow melted, turned to water, and then froze overnight.
“It’s discustard. My Ugg boots aren’t designed to walk on slippery surfaces,” said Tanya Goodey of Whinmoor. “All six of my kids are off school and are having to go into the garden while I have a smoke. It’s not fair on them; it’s freezing out there.”
Freezing Temperatures Not Helping the Council’s Efforts
Councillor Barry Seymour spoke to The Yorkshire Tribune and explained the council’s efforts and frustrations.
“Here at Leeds City Council, we understand that people are perplexed that freezing conditions result in icy roads and pavements. You’d think that such things had never occurred before. Our gritting team is working around the clock but aren’t miracle workers. The refuse collectors, however, are just lazy fucks determined to make the most of a snow day or two.”
Councillor Seymour went on to explain that gritting the roads does not guarantee ice-free surfaces.
“Gritting prevents ice from forming by essentially creating a saline solution that road traffic helps spread. The rock salt only melts now when it is less than 40mm deep and when traffic can move the salt around. Reduced traffic and snow much deeper than 40mm means gritting now is almost futile.”
“Furthermore, gritting loses its impact, ironically, in freezing conditions. It loses its effectiveness at minus five and stops melting ice at minus eight. Plus, if it rains or sleets, the precipitation washes away the salt.”
“Wait until people realise all the snow and ice will eventually melt and cause widespread flooding.”
Foreigners and Wind Farms to Blame, Say Leeds Residents
The Met Office says cold air from the Arctic is being pushed over the UK by northerly winds, resulting in the recent cold snap. A high-pressure weather system over Greenland and Iceland is moving eastwards toward another high-pressure system over Russia, squeezing the cold air southwards.
That is the scientific reason, but some Leeds residents have other ideas; they believe in more sinister explanations.
Bernie Callaghan, founder of the Too Windy All the Time (TWAT) action group, points the finger of blame at wind farms. Callaghan and his fellow TWATs are campaigning to halt the Hornsea Wind Farm installation.
“The boffins keep saying cold wind is blowing to the UK and causing this freezing weather. It wouldn’t be a problem if there weren’t so many wind farms. The UK is windy enough as it is without those turbines blasting us with freezing air.”
Kenneth Smith, a die-hard Brexiteer, says it’s the “bloody foreigners” who are to blame for the current cold snap.
“They come over here, take our jobs, and ruin our weather. It’ll be all the spices they use in their cooking. Tommy Robinson was right; we should send the buggers back.”
Sir Keir Starmer Said to be Delighted at the Arctic Conditions
While most people are upset at the freezing cold weather, Sir Keir Starmer is reported to be delighted with the lack of heat. His Labour government cancelled cold weather payments for millions of vulnerable pensioners shortly after they entered Number 10 Downing Street. The continued freezing temperatures are sure to finish off tens of thousands of the elderly, reducing NHS waiting times and saving a small fortune on state pension payments.
