The weather has been unusual this week. Not remarkable in that this type of weather happens about every ten years. Weather Scientists have stated that we’re going to have a decade of colder winters. Weather forecasters even predicted the severity of this weeks weather four days in advance.

Southwark Council had gritting lorries and teams out at the right time and spread 500 tonnes in the first 48 hours. Quite normal and sensible. Those operations could be tweaked – perhaps snow ploughs on the front of the gritters, perhaps a covered storage area for salt stocks.

But it feels as though as a capital city we didn’t cope. No buses to speak of when our part of London is so reliant on buses. Schools closing for two days. All those parents who could’nt go to work even if prepared to make a big effort as they had to stay at home to look after children. Its these little instances that make it harder for Southwark residents to get or keep work.