Traffic chaos in Southend as several crashes block main roads (From Southend Standard)
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Traffic chaos in Southend as several crashes block main roads
6:31pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Echo News By Emma Thomas
Picture by Echo photographer Anna Lukala
DRIVERS were caught in massive tailbacks as several rush-hour crashes caused chaos in Southend.
Firefighters from Southend battled treacherous icy conditions to attend numerous accidents caused by the poor state of the roads.
Accidents on Prince Avenue, at Victoria Gateway, Royal Artillery Way and in Eastwood Road blocked the main routes out of the town.
At around 6:45pm a car smashed into the side of a house as the driver tried turning left from Milton Road into Cambridge Road in Southend.
They were later called to a collision in Victoria Avenue, in which part of the road was closed off, before heading to a five-car pileup at the bottom of the Queensway interpass.
Sub-officer Lee Burling said: “The conditions were an absolute nightmare. There appears to be no grit on the roads whatsoever, and as a result you couldn’t ask for a better ice rink.”
Conditions were so bad bus operator Arriva cancelled many of its services.
Passengers on a no. 27 bus were also left shaken but uninjured as it slid into a roundabout near Seaway Carpark in Chancellor Road, Southend.
Some people were stranded for more than an hour at a virtual standstill.
People were forced to abandon cars and walk home as they struggled to stay on the icy roads.
Comments(81)
marshman
says...
6:48pm Mon 11 Mar 13
The Late One
says...
6:49pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Carnabackable
says...
6:49pm Mon 11 Mar 13
marshman wrote:They're probably stuck behind the student, out in the Clio...
Anyone seen the gritters?
lottie31
says...
7:13pm Mon 11 Mar 13
marshman wrote:have phoned southend council and they dont know when the gritters will be out. i live on southchurch ave and people are losing control of their cars, there is a group of young lads waiting at the bottom on the woodgrange drive and they are helping people up the hill. Ive seeing cars going into the barriers and into other cars, onto the pavement. its horrendous. i live on the corner of york road and people are doing a U turn and heading back down the hill as they just cant get anywhere.
Anyone seen the gritters?
lottie31
says...
7:14pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Carnabackable wrote:the snow isnt the problem its the sodding ice. because the idle council would rather sit on their fat behinds than sort out the roads.
And all because of a flurry of the white stuff, imagine if this was Canada.....
shoebury52
says...
7:31pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Nebs
says...
7:38pm Mon 11 Mar 13
shoebury52 wrote:Working fine here. Have you gritted your computer?
It funny that there website seems to have crashed I wonder why. Or is it just my browser
lorna1984
says...
7:47pm Mon 11 Mar 13
jolllyboy
says...
7:48pm Mon 11 Mar 13
GONNERS
says...
7:57pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Jamie11
says...
8:00pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Why? Because the council couldnt organise a single gritter from what I could see.
Main Bus routes - Ice rinks. Slopes-Skating rinks.
The Council should accept responsibility for every accident due to their total incompetence.
c2c managed to grit their platforms and walkways this morning. So why is it so difficult for the council with theuir greater resources?
Audioman
says...
8:12pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Felix Billy
says...
8:14pm Mon 11 Mar 13
sskk678
says...
8:29pm Mon 11 Mar 13
sskk678
says...
8:32pm Mon 11 Mar 13
shoeburyboy
says...
8:45pm Mon 11 Mar 13
kayleigh 085
says...
8:53pm Mon 11 Mar 13
The Big Dady
says...
8:54pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Elephantman2
says...
8:55pm Mon 11 Mar 13
jolllyboy wrote:Spot on; but don't worry there won't be any deaths caused by sending blood tests to Bedford because there won't be any delays will there?
Did our blood get through ?...........
Carnabackable
says...
8:57pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Carnabackable
says...
8:59pm Mon 11 Mar 13
shoeburyboy
says...
9:01pm Mon 11 Mar 13
boo beckett
says...
9:05pm Mon 11 Mar 13
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
9:05pm Mon 11 Mar 13
The roads where frozen at 5.00pm from Tesco Prince ave back to Leigh took 30 mins which should have took under 10.
woodsey23
says...
9:06pm Mon 11 Mar 13
WAKE UP Southend council, DO WHAT YOU ARE PAID TO DO!!!!!!!!
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
9:06pm Mon 11 Mar 13
marshman wrote:8.50pm the first one in Leigh spotted.
Anyone seen the gritters?
Adriver1
says...
9:18pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Bangemup
says...
9:19pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Shoebury driver
says...
9:21pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Rochford Rob
says...
9:26pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Oh well, am sure someone will devise another tax to prevent this happening in the future.
I remember '63. I dread to think what would happen if that occured again.
Today we had what, 1/2" and chaos. Imagine what a few 6 foot drifts would do.
pendulum
says...
9:27pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Rochford Rob
says...
9:27pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Bangemup wrote:Expect 'you know who ' to proclaim that the roads are for people, not for the council to leave their grit on.
What a shamefull episode, the Southend council should be colectivly sued for gross derillection of duty , The roads within the Borough should be gritted and kept in a reasonably safe condition , I see no excuse ,especialy concerning cost as they have just saved many thousands of pounds cancelling the Airshow . Perhaps that money could have been put into running the gritting wagons for a few hours today .
H.79
says...
9:33pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Nebs wrote:Hahaha! Brilliant!
shoebury52 wrote:Working fine here. Have you gritted your computer?
It funny that there website seems to have crashed I wonder why. Or is it just my browser
aly2805
says...
9:53pm Mon 11 Mar 13
The Late One
says...
9:56pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Almeda11
says...
10:07pm Mon 11 Mar 13
shoeburyboy wrote:lt`s NOT Easter!
Often snows at easter
billericay boy
says...
10:20pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Almeda11
says...
10:20pm Mon 11 Mar 13
GONNERS wrote:l am 66, and walked this evening from Crowstone Rd, Westcliff to Sainsburys in Southend. lt took me about 35 minutes each way, slightly longer than usual, but l was AMAZED to see car after car crawling along the London Rd, often not moving at all, l got there before the cars.
once again SBC can not be bothered to send out the gritters, causing absolute chaos on the roads around southend,they expect us to pay for our council tax for what ???
l have never seen anything like this before, yet obviously we`ve had snow before, over the last few years, so l cannot understand it, l`m sure most of the time they could have moved along a bit faster than they were, they were almost at a standstill, but l don`t think the gritters often grit the main roads at all, the pavements usually on the main roads, but even then, not always and it`s patchy, but they rely on the cars friction and sheer numbers to dissolve the snow, and this evening there was hardly any, mainly water and slush, so l still think its very strange that they didn`t move faster.
shoeburyboy
says...
10:32pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Mike Smith
says...
10:38pm Mon 11 Mar 13
sskk678
says...
10:44pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Mikkel1
says...
10:53pm Mon 11 Mar 13
madmark50484
says...
11:11pm Mon 11 Mar 13
emcee
says...
11:13pm Mon 11 Mar 13
sskk678 wrote:I've seen them once, ONCE, on Southchurch Road, all winter. The council need to get more gritting lorries sorted (or force Cory to do so) as they obviously do not have enough. Yet, you go outside the boundries of Southend Council responsibilities they seem to be everywhere.
Whoever is in charge for the gritters at the council needs to be fired.
woolstone
says...
11:14pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Nebs
says...
11:23pm Mon 11 Mar 13
http://www.southend.
gov.uk/info/561/road
s-gritting/550/winte
r_gritting
emcee
says...
11:30pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Nebs wrote:In that case, maybe we will see some claims hitting the council desks in the coming weeks. This evening I have seen cars sliding everywhere on the main roads. And it is not as if the cars are speeding. Even cars crawling are all over the place. They may as well be on ice skates.
The council has a responsibility 'to ensure, so far as reasonable practicable, the safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow and ice.'
http://www.southend.
gov.uk/info/561/road
s-gritting/550/winte
r_gritting
emcee
says...
11:41pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Rochford Rob wrote:It's not the depth of snow that is the problem it is the ice caused by freezing/compacted snow and only has to be half a cm to be lethal.
I blame all this global warming, oooops, sorry 'climate change'
Oh well, am sure someone will devise another tax to prevent this happening in the future.
I remember '63. I dread to think what would happen if that occured again.
Today we had what, 1/2" and chaos. Imagine what a few 6 foot drifts would do.
emcee
says...
12:10am Tue 12 Mar 13
???
sskk678
says...
12:24am Tue 12 Mar 13
southendfanman
says...
12:28am Tue 12 Mar 13
BASILBRUSH
says...
12:32am Tue 12 Mar 13
kayleigh 085 wrote:There was a heat wave at the end of March last year, but we had Snow in April...
Not being funny but its March all the gritters will be locked up till next winter,When have we ever had snow in march&No one expects it to snow in march!
Roads compacted snow and ice now... Gritters without traffic will have little effect tonight now.
Good luck tomorrow morning!!!!
Nazzarooney
says...
12:39am Tue 12 Mar 13
Come on southend council pull your fingers out of your overpaid backsides and sort this mess out
It's a joke
nlaverick
says...
1:02am Tue 12 Mar 13
Andycal 172D
says...
1:50am Tue 12 Mar 13
zomboni
says...
2:09am Tue 12 Mar 13
Hathi67
says...
9:36am Tue 12 Mar 13
Why oh why does this country come to a standstill will a little bit of snow.
As for the amount of accidents. SLOW DOWN KEEP YOUR DISTANCE..........
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
11:42am Tue 12 Mar 13
all melting off now though 11.30am Tuesday.
Realworld
says...
12:17pm Tue 12 Mar 13
emcee wrote:The council purchase and operate the gritters - blame lies solely with them.
sskk678 wrote:I've seen them once, ONCE, on Southchurch Road, all winter. The council need to get more gritting lorries sorted (or force Cory to do so) as they obviously do not have enough. Yet, you go outside the boundries of Southend Council responsibilities they seem to be everywhere.
Whoever is in charge for the gritters at the council needs to be fired.
WAM4444
says...
12:53pm Tue 12 Mar 13
perini
says...
1:25pm Tue 12 Mar 13
WAM4444 wrote:Well, whatever they are not spending it on it won't be to the detriment of this:
Surely if you have damaged your car or yourself you can sue SBC for negligence? And what else are my rates not spent on now?
Southend Council
Senior Management Grades
SMG1 (Chief Executive) £127,152 - £148,881
SMG2 (Directors) £100,911 - £116,493
SMG3 (Heads of Service) £67,074 - £87,000
Rochford Rob
says...
1:39pm Tue 12 Mar 13
perini wrote:Blimey, talk about empire building. Sack them all and get a Town Clerk on 50K
WAM4444 wrote: Surely if you have damaged your car or yourself you can sue SBC for negligence? And what else are my rates not spent on now?Well, whatever they are not spending it on it won't be to the detriment of this: Southend Council Senior Management Grades SMG1 (Chief Executive) £127,152 - £148,881 SMG2 (Directors) £100,911 - £116,493 SMG3 (Heads of Service) £67,074 - £87,000
Basildon_Boy
says...
1:45pm Tue 12 Mar 13
emcee
says...
3:25pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Realworld wrote:http://www.southend.
emcee wrote:The council purchase and operate the gritters - blame lies solely with them.
sskk678 wrote:I've seen them once, ONCE, on Southchurch Road, all winter. The council need to get more gritting lorries sorted (or force Cory to do so) as they obviously do not have enough. Yet, you go outside the boundries of Southend Council responsibilities they seem to be everywhere.
Whoever is in charge for the gritters at the council needs to be fired.
gov.uk/a_to_z/servic
e/204/roads-gritting
Kentish Alex
says...
3:38pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Award winning my backside. They should take that banner, roll it up and insert where the sun dosnt shine.
They are doing all they can to make southend unwelcoming to drivers with Spycars, crappy junction "improvements" and poor planning for services like gritting. There was hardly any snow last night, it was all the failure of SBC to get their fingers out.
Carnabackable
says...
3:39pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Basildon_Boy wrote:The spy cars keep the roads free of illegal parkers, whilst the gritters keep the roads clear of ice, how many gritters do you hope to see in July - Doh
I feel sorry for you Southend lot. The road network you got in Southend is absolute terrible. And dont you understand, the money is being spent on the spy cars instead of the gritters. No one else realise that?
Carnabackable
says...
3:41pm Tue 12 Mar 13
sskk678 wrote:Hope your insurance covers you for business use, like the takeaway delivery drivers, many only have domestic use on their policies, until they have an accident, then it's called driving otherwise in accordance, an offence......
I have been delivering pizza since 11 this morning. It snowed on and off. No Gritters tho. Once it was 5pm it took me an hour and a half to get back to the store.
smiffy1980
says...
3:41pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Some people however need lessons in how to drive in these conditions (should be introduced as part of the driving test).
Carnabackable
says...
3:44pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Hathi67 wrote:We have the finest Gritters in Rayleigh, always spreading their message, and keeping the Highways and byeways clear....
Rayleigh Gritters were out but not seen one in southend, no surprise....
Why oh why does this country come to a standstill will a little bit of snow.
As for the amount of accidents. SLOW DOWN KEEP YOUR DISTANCE..........
Broadwaywatch
says...
4:59pm Tue 12 Mar 13
kayleigh 085 wrote:Then it would seem you are unaware of the old saying....If March winds do blow then we will have snow
Not being funny but its March all the gritters will be locked up till next winter,When have we ever had snow in march&No one expects it to snow in march!
EastStBoy
says...
5:05pm Tue 12 Mar 13
SBC screwed up, and didnt have a plan (or grit - I am betting) to get the gritters out to treat the roads. They did, however, have a weather forecast showing snow in the area.
I really hope all those involved in crashes due to this treatment of roads are allow to follow up damages claims against the council.
Antonius
says...
6:03pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Antonius
says...
6:06pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Although Easter does tend to move around, calendar wise.
LindyS
says...
6:48pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Basildon_Boy wrote:Didn't see any spy cars out! All tucked up indoors cos they knew what was comming. Definately no gritters on Victoria Avenue all day Monday. Main route out of Southend. WHY ???????
I feel sorry for you Southend lot. The road network you got in Southend is absolute terrible. And dont you understand, the money is being spent on the spy cars instead of the gritters. No one else realise that?
LindyS
says...
7:07pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Elephantman2 wrote:Totally agree! What would have happened . Someone will die and who will be to blame? No-one will own up and say "sorry we got it badly wrong"
jolllyboy wrote:Spot on; but don't worry there won't be any deaths caused by sending blood tests to Bedford because there won't be any delays will there?
Did our blood get through ?...........
woodsey23
says...
7:22pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Antonius wrote:Some people were trying to get home from work, or are you one of those people who sit on their backside all day getting benefits from us workers. What a stupid comment to make!!! The council have a responsibility to keep the highways going?
Why should the council be blamed for people going out in icy weather and having accidents ?
Realworld
says...
8:42am Wed 13 Mar 13
emcee wrote:....and the link that goes nowhere is supposed to say?
Realworld wrote:http://www.southend.
emcee wrote:The council purchase and operate the gritters - blame lies solely with them.
sskk678 wrote:I've seen them once, ONCE, on Southchurch Road, all winter. The council need to get more gritting lorries sorted (or force Cory to do so) as they obviously do not have enough. Yet, you go outside the boundries of Southend Council responsibilities they seem to be everywhere.
Whoever is in charge for the gritters at the council needs to be fired.
gov.uk/a_to_z/servic
e/204/roads-gritting
saltydawg
says...
8:53am Wed 13 Mar 13
r6keith
says...
4:41pm Wed 13 Mar 13
emcee
says...
2:43am Fri 15 Mar 13
Realworld wrote:Actually it links to the correct page for me (your browser must be broken).
emcee wrote:....and the link that goes nowhere is supposed to say?
Realworld wrote:http://www.southend.
emcee wrote:The council purchase and operate the gritters - blame lies solely with them.
sskk678 wrote:I've seen them once, ONCE, on Southchurch Road, all winter. The council need to get more gritting lorries sorted (or force Cory to do so) as they obviously do not have enough. Yet, you go outside the boundries of Southend Council responsibilities they seem to be everywhere.
Whoever is in charge for the gritters at the council needs to be fired.
gov.uk/a_to_z/servic
e/204/roads-gritting
-
The page explains the council operates the gritters in partnership with Cory.
Carnabackable says...
6:33pm Mon 11 Mar 13