Grit and bear it

Maybe the weather forecasters aren't over-reacting - I've just seen a gritter complete with snow plough go past The Lichfield Blog Towers.
And the plough might well be needed if we get a fair amount of the white stuff overnight, because according to an online news article, Staffordshire County Council are running out of grit.

It seems the regular routes will be salted, but no others. And more worryingly, their supplies are only likely to last until the weekend. Add to this supply problems to councils across the country and there's a worrying cocktail emerging.

Let's be fair to Staffordshire County Council though. It's not like winter happens every year so it must have come as quite a shock...

On or off the buses

The Mercury have given us the latest take on the seemingly endless tale of the Lichfield to Walsall bus service.
First Travel West Midlands dropped the baton and now A2Z Travel have pulled out. The latest development is that Arriva will step into the breach (partially at least!). But for how long? If two companies have failed to make a go of it then surely this might indicate that a service isn't viable?

The footnote to Arriva's arrival on the scene is that it's a partnership with Staffordshire County Council. The word partnership is an interesting one. For Staffordshire County Council to be a partner, they must be bringing something to the link-up. I'm certainly not suggesting there's a subsidy or the like, but if there were it would be a downright disgrace.

I don't object to subsidised services to villages where residents may often rely on such a service and have no other transport links, but the Lichfield to Walsall route is certainly not that. It is a dying route - something proved by the failure of two successful businesses to make it work.

All good things must come to an end - and the 991 service is no different.