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Dawlish · January 13th 10, 11:47 AM posted to uk.sci.weather

On Jan 13, 11:34*am, Howard Neil wrote:
On 13/01/2010 10:46, Will Hand wrote:

"Dave Cornwell" wrote in
...

"Dawlish" wrote in message
....
On Jan 12, 7:47 pm, "Jon O'Rourke" wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dawlish"
Newsgroups: uk.sci.weather
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 7:29 PM
Subject: Police Close Haldon Hill!

On Jan 12, 6:36 pm, Bonos Ego wrote:
BBC SW Spotlight have just said that there are thousands of cars
stuck
on Haldon Hill, with traffic tailing back to the M5 / A30 Junction..

In the midst of all this, the severe warnings site has this advice:

"The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the Highways
Agency for further advice regarding traffic disruption on motorways
and trunk roads"

Try finding a *single thing* about snow disruption

http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/breakingnews.aspx
do I win a prize ?

Jon.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Jon:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8455796.stm
-----------------------
Are people really stupid? Thr Highways Agency have apologised but I
don't really understand why. It is a notoriously difficult spot and
heavy snow was clearly forecast for there, at least 24 hours ahead. I
tend to avoid steep hills in snow. It's a case of he who dares wins -
or in this case loses.
Dave

The trouble is Dave is that people don't seem to understand the effect
of altitude. Those of us who live on Dartmoor are very aware of course
and make plans accordingly. But it is perfectly understandable that if
you working in a rainy mild Exeter wishing to travel to an equally mild
and rainy Torquay then you think it will be mild and rainy despite there
being an 800 foot hill in the way!

Will

I think there is also a matter of the press getting the message across
before the event. You told us about it days ago yet, according to people
I have spoken to (I don't read papers or watch BBC/ITV news), they had
no warning.

Did they just not believe any warning or was none given? I could
understand people not believing it as certain members of the press like
printing scare stories which never materialise. Either way, I see it as
the fault of the press first, then the unrealistic beliefs of the motorist.