[Closed] Road closures and getting through snow

race is essential then is it ?

if you were asking about gettign a pregnant wife to hospital or even trying to get home then id say fire on but for a race.

if its closed its closed and if you do go , at least take some form of self recovery - chains , shovel , some old carpet.

Maybe [url= http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=male+ego&word2=common+sense ]this[/url] will help.

I think it's more likely that the emergency services will have to divert in order to rescue the two selfish dipsticks who decided to ignore warnings and proceed onto a road that was closed for a reason.

It's a race for FFS! You don't have a [b][u]NEED[/u][/b] to travel!

your insurance might be invalidated? only a guess.

if you do have to be rescued the police/ fire service are going to have to attend. which is the reason they've shut it.

unless matey in the 4x4 is pretty confident/ equipped i'd avoid.

A couple of years back all roads out of Belmont near Bolton were shut. Only real danger I found was that ROAD CLOSED signs are not very visible when approached from the wrong side 😳

On the way back there was a copper parked who pointed vigorously at the sign, but as I either had a 6 mile walk back from Abbey Village, or a drive and potentially shorter walk if I did get shut, I just told him I was going home and he didn't seem to bothered, just told me to take care. But I did also point out I had carpet, a shovel, and lots of warm clothes in case I did get stuck.

Surprised the race itself isn't cancelled. As for the predicament, firstly you'll only get in trouble if you get caught... Secondly, not sure but I guess the police could do you for driving without due care and attention or something even if there isn't a specific rule about closed roads.

er stay at home or promise not to call for assistance if it goes wrong.

I think it's more likely that the emergency services will have to divert in order to rescue the two selfish dipsticks

Why would we need rescuing?

Why would we need rescuing?

Because if the road's closed, it's usually closed for a reason. i.e. to stop the aforementioned selfish dipsticks from requiring rescue.

Why would we need rescuing?

That sounds like a gauntlet hitting the floor to me... 😉

molgrips - Member
I think it's more likely that the emergency services will have to divert in order to rescue the two selfish dipsticks
Why would we need rescuing?

POSTED 3 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POS

when confidence > ability then **** up happens

do you know why its closed?

You could give it a whirl and be fine, but probably wouldn't get much sympathy if you got stuck.

But if my car gets stuck, that doesn't mean I'm stuck, does it? I'd walk or cycle out. Would't call the bloody emergency services!

probably wouldn't get much sympathy if you got stuck

I wouldn't expect any!

give it a whirl then! You don't need a www forum to tell you if you're sure about it.

Has nobody else ever crossed a flood or a snowed-up road?

Its ok, you can pick and choose what road signs apply to you, you're clearly not an idiot.
🙄

There could be drifts across the road that make it completely impassable until cleared. Its closed for a reason.

A race is not an emergency and I think the advisories are if its not essential do not travel.

Just think while you are being rescued for being a complete tool and thinking that "road closed" does not apply to you someone else, you mum, brother, sister, could really be in need of those emergency services but they were dealing with some tit who thought he knew better

Edit Looked to see who OP was and really suprised it was you molgrips? Sorry I suggested your a tit but its a tit thing to do for a race!

flopped big time here molgrips mate

I'm surprised by some of the views on this thread. I'd have expected rufty-tufty trail centre riders to be more up for it.

I once drove along the A66 across the Pennines (in a Micra on normal tyres). It had snow cover and was closed just after we passed the gates. The snow wasn't deep or drifting though. Presumably Trunk roads have certain standards that are required to be maintained.

If the road actually is impassable you might need to ride a long way. I'd take a 29er if I were you! 😀

@Aristotle, I went over the A66 once when it was snowing and had to dragged out by a farmer! That is I guess a quite variable road. When you see the snow poles makes you think! It was an interesting journey.

Apparently the farmers up there sort of patrol the road when the snow hits to help people out as its such a regular occurrence!

For the record it wasn't closed and I was trying to get home before the snow started good and proper so was not being a tit!

I once drove along the A66 across the Pennines (in a Micra on normal tyres). It had snow cover and was closed just after we passed the gates.

Met a traffic cop who used to spend his time turning people back. It's closed for a reason. Once it's closed remember your not the most important person in the world but people will still risk themselves to save you. Shame really.

I've driven over the Haslingden Grane road when it's had closed signs at each end and had a nice easy drive, even on standard tyres. They just close roads to keep the muppets off. Anybody who's driven in the Alps or Scotland will be fine.

give it a go, don't really get all the selfish arguments.

just make sure you take enough stuff to make yourself self sufficient for a few days incase you get stuck, ie means of keeping yourself warm and some food to last ye till ye get moving again. you've a car, so shelter is sorted.

no like it's an artic expedition or anything.

duplicate.

Go for it.

I was stuck the wrong side of a snow gate in the Highlands in December. I was twenty minutes from where I needed to be and there was sod all snow actually on the road. Took me two hours to go back they way I'd came and take another route.

I had snow socks and a shovel in the car.

When the authorities close roads they need to take everyone into account. This includes people who have no equipment for the weather and think the best way to deal with snow is to mash the accelerator like a mentalist in first gear.

Ok folks let's just clear something up.

I asked if road closed signs must be legally observed or not. It's a simple question.

I didn't ask if it was wise to do so, I'll make my own decision.

And for for those of you worrying, I would take precautions to get myself out of trouble if I got into it, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES. Just think of it as the trail starting earlier than it usually does. After all the plan would be to go even further up into the mountains than the road goes.

Not illegal but Darwin may have something to say about it!

You think I'd die if I had to walk 5 miles in snow?

sharkbait - Member
Not illegal but Darwin may have something to say about it!

people are really saft these, has to be said! 😆

so meanwhile when the road opens and your car is where ?

Not necessarily, but if you put your foot in a hole hidden by snow and broke your ankle then your chances are not so good. Would you call the emergency services then?

I certainly wouldn't leave my car anywhere.
Irresponsible and selfish is what it is.

On the other hand it's not bloody armageddon, so what you worrying about? 😆

Road closed signs placed by police or highways need to be legally observed.

Would you like the search and rescue invoice made out in your name?
Its irresponsible and selfish.

I will say to anyone who has to or decides to travel to take care and I hope they stay safe.

I will be walking to the bank today! its a bit of a trek so will probably die of exposure now!

Surely it will be a crap race as there will only be the 2 of you turning up, as sensible people will not be bothering 🙄

I asked if road closed signs must be legally observed or not. It's a simple question.

The question is, if they close a road can you try and get through anyway?

Road closed signs placed by police or highways need to be legally observed.

Well, the copper seemed happy enough in my case.

I certainly wouldn't leave my car anywhere.
Irresponsible and selfish is what it is.

It is indeed. That's why I didn't (well, except back outside my house where I'd got it from in the morning). 🙂

I didn't ask if it was wise to do so, I'll make my own decision.

And for for those of you worrying, I would take precautions to get myself out of trouble if I got into it, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Are you for real? You're assuming that everything is going to go just as you planned/prepared for? What happens when you have an accident and knock yourself out? How're you going to walk out then? What happens when the car gets stuck in a snow drift that's bigger then your ego/sense of self importance and then have to abandon it? Who's going to dig it out/rescue it?

Honestly...have a word with yourself, Molgrips!

[i][b]pingu66[/b][/i] - Member

I will be walking to the bank today! its a bit of a trek so will probably die of exposure now!

One would hope you're better adapted to the cold than most!

Daffy - Member

Are you for real? You're assuming that everything is going to go just as you planned/prepared for? What happens when you have an accident and knock yourself out? How're you going to walk out then? What happens when the car gets stuck in a snow drift that's bigger then your ego/sense of self importance and then have to abandon it? Who's going to dig it out/rescue it?

Honestly...have a word with yourself, Molgrips!

I think those roads were closed because lorries were jack-knifed on them earlier.

As for common sense, having come to STW, I sold my Land Rover and bought an Audi with winter tyres based on the advice of the forum intelligensia safe in the knowledge that it would be far more capable in these conditions... 😕 8)

As mentioned they have to be closed based on the lowest common denominator which is a real wheel drive, summer tyre BMW driven by a bloke in shiny leather shoes who might have a scarf in the boot.

Which clearly isn't the same as a 4WD, winter tyres, shovel, sleeping bag, satellite phone, multiple occupants, Sorels.

Shame innit.

how do you manage to cross a road safely? serious question btw!

It's not about capability though is it? It's about social responsibility and putting others ahead of your selfish [i]needs[/i].

Are there any further dots you'd like me to connect for you?

It's probably up to the whim of the local constable unless a TRO is in place.

And for for those of you worrying, I would take precautions to get myself out of trouble if I got into it, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES. Just think of it as the trail starting earlier than it usually does. After all the plan would be to go even further up into the mountains than the road goes

unless of course the reason its closed is because its actually a really dangerous road when snowy and there is a risk of you leaving the road/ending up in a ditch on your roof, but of course you DEFINITELY WOULD NOT CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES in such a situation would you...

there's a difference between being well equipped and setting out along a snowy road that might be awkward, vs doing the same on a road that someone (tasked with making such decisions) has decided is too dangerous to be left open.

Roads can be closed for many reasons, not just because it's a bit snowy, could be that it's tree lined and the snow is meaning there is a danger of tress coming down...could be damaged surface due to freeze/ice expansion etc.

happens for non snowy reasons too, landslide risk, flash flooding etc, road may look perfectly fine but if it's been closed the its likely for a good reason.

as for the legality of it, I dunno... but I would think road closed means road closed*

*so unlikely to be caught (or found) as there will be nobody there?

@Zokes I have become accustomed to my luxurious centrally heated environment, but shall still still try to waddle there.

FFS we aren't talking about an artic expedition here. We are talking about driving on an untreated A road with light snow covering in a car equipped with winter tyres.

Soemthing most of the rest of Europe manages without drama on a regular basis.

Bulldog spirit my arse

Daffy - Member
how do you manage to cross a road safely? serious question btw!
It's not about capability though is it? It's about social responsibility and putting others ahead of your selfish needs.

Are there any further dots you'd like me to connect for you?

FFS we aren't talking about an artic expedition here. We are talking about driving on an untreated A road with light snow covering in a car equipped with winter tyres.

In all likelyhood you're probably right, but unless you closed that road you don't know for sure...

IS this thread really happening on a mountain bike forum?

Christ, how the hell do you lot ride off road? Everytime you do, you're taking risks that if you need rescuing, you will put someone else into a position that otherwise they wouldn't have had to but for your selfish recklessness.

Grow a pair people!

Mol, I did hear after the flooding last time that the police were saying it was an offence to drive on shut roads. I would guess the same applies to snow, but can't say it was fact and the copper had got it right.
If he did, well, on top of my speeding, I've been driving down the cheddar gorge everyday on the way to work, and that's been shut since November at least!

Christ, how the hell do you lot ride off road? Everytime you do, you're taking risks that if you need rescuing, you will put someone else into a position that otherwise they wouldn't have had to but for your selfish recklessness.

Yeah, but it's a bit different when the weather is bad enough that the emergency services are already stretched. Isn't it about the level of "selfish recklessness"? Particularly when the media are teling us all not to make journeys that aren't essential anyway.

so meanwhile when the road opens and your car is where ?

So when you get stuck in snow, your car just stops immediately and cannot be moved, is that it? That's not my experience.

A bit more clarification then. I know the road in question pretty well. It's a trunk road, it's wide, well surfaced, and is not tree lined or anything. It MOSTLY is a steady uphill all the way there, except for one section that dips down and then has a relatively steep bit on the way up. That's the only steep section and is where people get stuck if they do. That is only maybe 2-3 miles from where I need to be, so if I have to park up and walk or bike the last bit. It gets closed often in snow because it goes high up.

I'm not going to spin off the road if I am driving at 10mph on the straights.

And if I am walking out, I could break my ankle or worse yes. But that could happen on any walk, couldn't it? Are you going to stay in your house and not walk anywhere because of the snow?

I've just been on the A470.
At the Aberystwyth end the police were advising people it was impassable- no way through, because of first a jack knifed lorry and then snow drifts.
There were gritters going up and down, so it should improve.
I didn't have a choice however, but eventually had to give up.

Peyote - Member

Yeah, but it's a bit different when the weather is bad enough that the emergency services are already stretched. Isn't it about the level of "selfish recklessness"? Particularly when the media are teling us all not to make journeys that aren't essential anyway.

I am sure that if my road was a major artery like the A470, it would be closed . I live on the road from Talybont over the Glyn to Pontsticill, it is however, passable in a 4x4 with winter tyres (my suzuki), my father in laws hilux which does not have winter tyres, and even for the most part, my focus estate with winter tyres on the front, I would not attempt the steepest pitch on the glyn in the ford though, the A470 has been closed for far less than is on our road now (5"+). A major road is different in that you are not going to be an obstacle if you get stuck. Last year a hired box van was left wedged at the foot of the glyn, it could not go up and slipped down between black ice and a tree, blocking the whole road for anyone who could have managed it. No note left, no sign of driver, shocker! Farmers and locals will have been.using the 'closed' road to move between fields to feed livestock and get down to work I'm sure.

It is in fact the Storey Arms part of the A470 I am talking about.

Your mate's got a 4x4? Merthyr > Pontsticil > The Gap > Brecon. Can't see the problem myself... 😉

"So when you get stuck in snow, your car just stops immediately and cannot be moved, is that it? That's not my experience."

do a bit of digging with my shovel , throw down a bit of grit , let tires down a bit , engage 4wd and carry on - how ever even with a 4x4 i avoid putting my self in that situation.

as yet even driving the uncleared back roads where the cars dare not to ive yet to use owt but RWD - i just keep my speed down and view it as doing 10-20mph is better than sitting stationary.

Soemthing most of the rest of Europe manages without drama on a regular basis.

In all likelihood you could do as you say and reach your destination with no trouble at all, and if not, like you say, you can walk.

my point being that you don't know *why* they closed the road, you're just guessing and if anything were to happen you're not just putting yourself out.

its not about if you *could* drive that road, it's about if you *should*...only you can make that decision after weighing up all the points made above, but you probably shouldn't be using internet forums to make your decisions!

Storey Arms was open earlier, heard A470 was closed down by Pontypridd.
Probably accident related like Beefhearts incident.
Powys tend to be pretty good at road clearing and gritting as a large rural authority, it's when we head out of Powys the roads get crap.

Story Arms!
You could cycle or walk to Merthyr from there without too much bother.
The danger begins when you arrive to Merthyr.

my point being that you don't know *why* they closed the road, you're just guessing

Well, it's a road that is regularly closed because of snow, and it's been snowing a lot. I think it's a reasonable assumption.

I want to go from Cardiff to the Storey Arms itself. The rest of the A470 looks pretty clear on the live traffic cams.

Only issue is if it's more than about 6-8" of fresh snow and I get grounded, or if there are big drifts.

My mate with the 4x4 is not coming, he can't get out of high wycombe.

<sigh> it's not really a 'race' is it? More like an on foot Sportive for flabby IT wallahs with SAS flavoured delusions.... Getting there is the least of your worries.

And for those that have missed it, Moly acquired his argumentative style from observing TJ/Fred so you're wasting your time. Black is indeed white.

My mate with the 4x4 is not coming, he can't get out of high wycombe

He wouldn't be much use in the Brecons then, would he! 🙂

My mate with the 4x4 is not coming, he can't get out of high wycombe.

- did you mean faux x faux .......

I don't know if its enforceable but I'll offer an opinion; there are an alarming number of fannies on this forum.

I once went on a bike ride and did not complete a risk assessment or method statement beforehand.

I reported myself to the HSE, of course.

Some of the people posting here would presumably evacuate their bowels at the mere sight of the roads and driving in some other countries.... 😆

He can't get out of wycomee and you think he'll be of use getting upto the breacons? I think you ought to go back to bed. Think of the money you'll save by staying under a duvet.

au contrare aristotle

its more having seen how molgrips reacts in other threads.

having spent last winter in ukraine in -28 im quite au fait with driving inappropriate cars(all of their cars except the urals :D) in inappropriate conditions and inappropriate speeds and being scared witless....

Where we're going we don't need roads!

trail_rat - Member

au contrare aristotle

its more having seen how molgrips reacts in other threads.

??

Anyhow, one takes one's chances in life and one doesn't always need to consult a www forum. Google is quite useful

he does everything the most complex overthought way possible - i think he works in IT 😀 *wavesatmolgrips*

He wouldn't be much use in the Brecons then, would he!

Have you been to High Wycombe? The main way out is up a very long steep hill. Probably slightly less steep than Nant Ddu (the steep bit of the Storey Arms road) but a lot longer. And it's steeper than anything on the brecon side.

Plus it's probably been polished by the spinning wheels of expensive RWD cars.

So did he go? Was he on the news?

@maxtorque: that is awesome! If you made the screw thingys boyant enough so they sit just below the water then I wonder if it would work on water too? 😀

I need to get a tractor and 2 huge screw things...

As for closed roads - the road up cheddar gorge has "road closed" signs at the top and bottom but there have been enough people going up and down it in cars. And that road has lots of rocks fallen from the cliff sides and big holes at the road edges. No idea if anyone has braved it in the last 2 days though.

Just read through this, very amusing! I was intrigued by this:

Have you been to High Wycombe? The main way out is up a very long steep hill. Probably slightly less steep than Nant Ddu (the steep bit of the Storey Arms road) but a lot longer. And it's steeper than anything on the brecon side.

Someone doesn't know how to read contour lines!