SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Now I know that all tarmac is black, or gradually fades to grey, but has anyone else noted that during this current cold snap, the newer smooth 'really black' tarmac is blooming treacherous. It seems far more prone to ice forming and then staying that other types, and of course the council don't grit paths outside the city centre anymore.It seems to be the current council vogue to use this type anywhere they are resurfacing, but especially on footpaths? The path outside our house was resurfaced a few years ago, but still looks like new on a sunny day. Today it's like an ice rink though.It's no wonder the old folk feel like prisoners in their own homes when the weather is like this.

And what happened to the snow ploughs this morning? I left deliberately late to avoid the snow, having to cross the Pennines, there were no signs that there'd been any snow ploughs on the main routes of Morley this morning 2 hours after it had stopped coming down. Bruntcliffe Lane and Asquith Avenue - both bus routes were gridlocked.

Trojan wrote: And what happened to the snow ploughs this morning? I left deliberately late to avoid the snow, having to cross the Pennines, there were no signs that there'd been any snow ploughs on the main routes of Morley this morning 2 hours after it had stopped coming down. Bruntcliffe Lane and Asquith Avenue - both bus routes were gridlocked. Snow Ploughs are only any use when snow is more than 7.5cm deepThe Salt spread behind the Gritter is then supposed to help melt the remaining snow when Traffic runs on it and crushes it.A snow plough that gets rid of all snow down to the Tarmac surface has not been invented and never will be.

raveydavey wrote: Now I know that all tarmac is black, or gradually fades to grey, but has anyone else noted that during this current cold snap, the newer smooth 'really black' tarmac is blooming treacherous. It seems far more prone to ice forming and then staying that other types, and of course the council don't grit paths outside the city centre anymore.It seems to be the current council vogue to use this type anywhere they are resurfacing, but especially on footpaths? The path outside our house was resurfaced a few years ago, but still looks like new on a sunny day. Today it's like an ice rink though.It's no wonder the old folk feel like prisoners in their own homes when the weather is like this. The Tarmac you are probably referring to is possibly FCA (Fine Cold Asphalt) normally it is used when the old surface is covered over rather than dug out,obviously much quicker than excavating and no tipping charges for excavated material.I also think it is about time that the Highways Dept. looked into the cost/feasibility of putting down Non/Slip Mat surfaces for a length of maybe 10 metres back at all carriageway junctions on all new Road Surfacingjobs especially on hills.Often seen as a type of Red Grit on approaches to Roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.This obviously doesn't help on Footpaths but these could be Slurry Sealed.The method is used to prolong the life of footpaths that are not breaking up and has a texture similar to Coarse Artex .Having said that Ice will form almost anywhere as you are well aware,the remedy to this would be for every person to clear the footpath in front of their property(this should be made law) and for everyone to help the elderly/ infirm who can't do this themselves.Which then brings me to shopkeepers/stores but I won't dwell on that.I do think that people should be held responsible for their owninactions.

Leeds-lad wrote: Trojan wrote: And what happened to the snow ploughs this morning? I left deliberately late to avoid the snow, having to cross the Pennines, there were no signs that there'd been any snow ploughs on the main routes of Morley this morning 2 hours after it had stopped coming down. Bruntcliffe Lane and Asquith Avenue - both bus routes were gridlocked. Snow Ploughs are only any use when snow is more than 7.5cm deepThe Salt spread behind the Gritter is then supposed to help melt the remaining snow when Traffic runs on it and crushes it.A snow plough that gets rid of all snow down to the Tarmac surface has not been invented and never will be. Just out of interest, in the Alps (where it snows a lot, obviously) they never clear the roads or pavements to tarmac level, but leave the snow on the road to a depth of about two inches. If this melts, the resulting water freezes overnight creating a more trecherous surface than snow, so extra snow, piled at the side of the road from previous clearances, is compressed on to the surface. However, we don't get enough snow for this system to work. It helps if you have chains/studded tyres too!