Following last week’s heavy snow (over a foot in Reading), many side roads are still covered with a layer of ice and snow. Quite a few residents have not been able to get out on foot or by car for several days. The council have managed to clear the main roads and grit them and over the weekend they brought in two JCBs to clear the remaining bus routes where snow ploughs could not be used. So after a very long weekend of overtime the highways team have got Reading’s roads back to a state where at least the buses can run normally, they actually ahve done a splendid job. Except of course they are changing the bus routes and timetables tomorrow (Monday). Check the details at:

http://www.reading-buses.co.uk 

Early this morning I spotted a couple of neighbours setting off down the road with shovels. I realised what they were doing and ran out to join them clearing our road (Chieveley Close) of snow, pausing only to borrow a spade from another neighbour (my son took off with mine last Monday when he drove up to Wantage expecting the worst). Anyway, to cut a long story short, what started off with two men quickly grew into a gang of 10 -12 neighbours and in about 3 hours we had cleared the road and the two smaller closes, Enborne and Wootton. Lots of hard work, the odd cup of tea, and the satisfaction of having achieved something between us. A good community effort. It was actually quite enjoyable, if a little exhausting. At least we can all get out now.