Sixt rent a car blog » winter

Cool running’s on the A2

David Jackson — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:51:21 +0000

Ice scraper

The highways agency are using new methods to keep on top of the big freeze this winter as explained in their recent press release…

In addition to our fleet of winter salt spreaders that treat the roads, we will be using an innovative road de-icing system at some locations this winter. Read on to see how a stretch of the A2 Jubilee Way in Dover, Kent will benefit and keeping traffic moving in cold weather.

A pipe and nozzle system is attached to the crash barrier on the southbound carriageway of the road. Once the road/air temperature drops and the grip of the road surface is reduced, it automatically releases an anti-freeze solution on to the road surface. This prevents the build up of ice on the road, reducing potential incidents and keeping traffic flowing.

The system is designed to operate automatically, with surface sensors constantly monitoring the bridge surface temperature and grip to ensure that the anti-freeze solution is released when it is needed.

This simple system, which has been tried and tested in Europe and America, should be more than a match for winter’s icy blasts in this part of Kent this winter!

For handy tips when driving this winter visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

Essential items for your emergency kit

David Jackson — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:03:20 +0000

The snow which covered much of England last week may appear to be slowly melting but the icy conditions are set to stick around for the foreseeable future. With this is mind we thought it would be a good time to remind ourselves of the essential kit that should ideally be taken whenever you drive in the winter months. This advice has been supplied by the Highways Agency…

Pack an emergency kit before you set out this winter. You never know when you might need it!

It’s easy; just gather together the items below and pack in the car at the start of the winter season, leaving you concentrate on more immediate matters, like how you are going to get there…

Your emergency kit should include:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Mobile phone charger
• Food and a warm drink in a vacuum flask
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses (the glare off snow can be dazzling)

Don’t forget to take any personal medication too

For more handy tips when driving this winter visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

Snow continues to cause disruption to travel

Catherine Hope — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:15:52 +0000

With snow continuing to fall across the UK, all travel is again being disrupted with flights, trains and roads being heavily affected.

Airport Closures

Edinburgh, Gatwick, London City and some regional airports are currently closed with most UK airports experiencing some sort of disruption due to snow, or as a result of snow at other destinations.

Gatwick will remain closed until at least 06.00 on Friday 3 December, whilst London City will review their situation at 14.00 today.

All passengers are advised to check with their airlines website or contact their airline before travelling. For an up to date picture of the flight situation visit the BBC air travel news page

Latest Weather Warnings

More snow is due to fall across Northern England and on the east of England with minus temperatures being predicted, but it should ease off a little on Friday.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings in many areas of the UK, with heavy snow being predicted again for Scotland, North East England, Yorkshire & Humber and East Midlands

UK Road Issues

The nations roads are not fairing much better, with gritters and snowploughs struggling to keep up with the amount of snowfall. The Highways Agency have provided detailed information on winter driving should drivers need advice. Should drivers need to take to the road, current road closures, accidents and problem areas are listed on the BBC Motorways page

UK Rail Travel Disruptions

If you thought that you could avoid the travel chaos by taking a train, then it would be advisable to check the current situation online before venturing out as the poor weather conditions have also affected some routes.

Trains are working to amended timetables and some stations have been closed.

Snow and ice are not very nice. A little time can make winter driving easier

David Jackson — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:44:13 +0000

Winter can be a busy time for everybody. Whether working, at school or on holiday, there’s so much to remember. But whatever occupies your time this winter, don’t get caught out when driving in severe weather. Don’t just drive, prepare.

Putting aside ten minutes to plan your journey before you set off could make all the difference. Check your planned route at highways.gov.uk where you can find up-to-date traffic information. You should also check your vehicle is ready for the drive by checking the condition of your tyres as well as making sure your windscreen and lights are clean. For more tips on essential vehicle checks before setting out this winter visit Highways Agency – Make Time for Winter Driving this Season

As you pack your gifts, for a long journey to visit relatives perhaps, you should pack your emergency kit in your car. This simple array of everyday household items could be your salvation if you get caught out by adverse weather conditions on the journey. You only need to pack it once at the beginning of the season leaving you with one less thing to worry about this winter.

For more advice when venturing out in severe weather, take a look at the Highways Agency website. There are practical tips on driving in all weather conditions as well a list of winter emergency kit items. You can even find out how to download our free iphone app for regular traffic updates on your route.

So whenever you plan to drive this season, make time for winter. Visit Highways.gov.uk/winter

Highways Agency urges drivers to ‘Be Prepared For Winter’

David Jackson — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:00:22 +0000

As we head into the winter season the Highways Agency, which manages and maintains England’s motorways and major A roads, is urging road users to make sure that they are prepared to face severe weather.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said:

“The Highways Agency is prepared for winter, but road users must also play their part. Not all journeys are essential in severe weather, but if people feel that they must travel during severe conditions there are some simple steps that can reduce the risk of being caught out by the weather.

That’s why I am urging all drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before they set out; to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles; to monitor the traffic and weather conditions and plan their journeys.”

The Highways Agency has learned from the severe weather of the last two winters, and strengthened its capability to face extended spells of severe weather. State-of-the-art winter vehicles are being used in more parts of the country, and the Agency has reviewed salt stock levels and established a strategic salt stock to help ensure that there is enough salt to deal with severe winter conditions.

As well as snow and ice, strong winds, heavy rain and thick fog can affect journeys in the winter season. Met Office weather forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Control Centre will provide information on weather conditions across the motorway and trunk road network. Drivers can obtain up to the minute information on winter traffic conditions from:

* the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
* the Highways Agency’s ‘Traffic Radio’, broadcast on DAB digital
* the Agency’s website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic
* the Agency’s iPhone app and mobile website

For detailed information on local and national weather conditions, visit the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio broadcasts.

Experience Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

Mike Osolinski — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:00:07 +0000

This year, Cardiff is celebrating its 10th anniversary of hosting the extremely popular Winter Wonderland. Opening on 10th November 2010, the holiday extravaganza will be started in style, with the official Christmas Lights Switch On party starting the season off with a bang.

Celebrating being part of Cardiff’s attractions for a decade, the Winter Wonderland opens on the 10th and lasts until 3rd January 2011, offering almost two months of wintry fun for both locals and visitors to revel in. Located on the City Hall Lawn, the event is easily accessible for all, with city dwellers able to walk whilst visitors staying further out are able to take advantage of cheap care hire in Cardiff to get transportation.

One of the Winter Wonderland’s main attractions is the Admiral Open Air Ice Rink, offering almost 50 days of skating for visitors. With tickets on sale now, people can ensure that they take the opportunity to don their skates and glide around a stunning winter rink. Meanwhile, tourists can enjoy the Ice Café Bar, or experience the spectacular John Lewis Wheel which offers a six minute flight with views across stunning Cardiff. With Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium, and Bute Park all visible from the heights of the wheel, visitors can see the city like never before.

With the Christmas Lights party kicking it off, and celebrating with music, fireworks, and celebrity appearances, the Winter Wonderland closes as New Years Celebrations come to an end. For anyone visiting the city, visiting the Winter Wonderland’s 10th anniversary is a must for all the family.

Long Trip for a Christmas Turkey

Andy Aspden — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:08:10 +0000

A woman who set off to her local shops before Christmas to buy a Turkey has finally arrived back home, 30 days after leaving her house. The recent spate of bad weather across the UK hit the Scottish Highlands particularly hard and has only just relented enough to allow Kay Ure to return home.

Kay and her husband, John, who own and run a café at the Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage in Cape Wrath have been separated by the inclement conditions for the entire Christmas period. Mrs Ure started her journey on 23^rd December with an 11 mile journey to the couple’s boat and then, after mooring the boat, a bus journey to the shops in Inverness. However, when Mrs. Ure returned, the road was blocked meaning that she could not make the final 11 miles trip home.

The couple spent Christmas apart, Mrs Ure celebrating with friends in a caravan and Mr Ure celebrating with their 6 dogs and 2 walkers who had come to the cafe, but are now planning on having a meal together to make up for missing out on the festivities.

Snow Drives Britain Crazy

David Jackson — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:22:53 +0000

Unless you’re in one of the few unaffected areas of Britain you can’t fail to have noticed that it’s like a winter wonderland outside. But whilst a covering of fresh white snow can look pretty it can turn the roads into a winter woeful-land.

People across badly affected areas are being warned not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary and if you do venture out it’s vital that you do everything that’s possible to stay safe on the road (check out our winter driving tips).

Fluorescent coloured clothing can be extremely helpful under such extreme conditions so it was nice to see that Tim Bennett of our sister company United Rental Group was setting a good example by donning a bright yellow jacket before leaving the office earlier this evening.

Winter Travel Chaos on the Eurostar

Sixt rent a car News — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:54:43 +0000

With the recent grip of winter hitting the UK many transport and travel networks have been severely affected since the snow first started falling last week. But this weekend the weather managed to have an impact on the Eurostar trains, causing 5 of them to break down in the channel tunnel and leaving passengers stranded for many hours.

5 trains, all travelling northbound from France, experienced a technical breakdown due to snow affecting the power car on each of the trains causing them to come to a stop within the tunnel. Almost 2,000 passengers were left in the carriages without food, heat, light, water or even information about the situation that they were stuck in. The problem occurred because the snow was particularly fine and almost dust-like which whipped up in the wind and got into the ventilation panels of the car, causing the power to fail on the trains, bringing them to a halt inside the tunnel.

Passengers were eventually rescued from the situation on a car transport train that arrived via the service tunnel, but this was only after some had experienced a wait of almost 16 hours to get to their destination. As people started to arrive at St Pancras (just a short distance away from our Kings Cross branch) they relayed their ordeal to numerous journalists at the station with many criticising the organisation and lack of information.

The Eurostar service is now only just started again, running a currently very limited service, trying to clear the backlog of nearly 50,000 passenger that have accrued during the wait for trains to resume their service. All passengers who have been affected have been offered a full refund and for passengers who were stuck in the tunnel there have been further offers of compensation. At the moment only passengers with tickets from Friday and Saturday are being treated as priority passengers.

If you would like to know more about refunds and compensation then please visit Eurostar’s main website at www.eurostar.com

Important Advice This Winter From The Highways Agency

David Jackson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:55:56 +0000

Wind and rain, ice and snow – winter can throw the very worst at us. So to help you prepare for travel this season, here’s some helpful advice from the Highways Agency.

FOR A SMOOTHER JOURNEY CHECK YOUR VEHICLE IS READY FOR WINTER

Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It’s worth making these checks regularly – and particularly before a long journey:

• Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
• Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
• Ensure your windscreen is clean
• Replace the battery if it’s not reliable
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum. For further information please see www.tyresafe.org

FOR PEACE OF MIND ALWAYS CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT

Gather a few items and keep them in your car – just in case. Below are items that should be in your Emergency Kit:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Food and a warm drink in a thermos
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Sunglasses – the glare off snow can be dazzling

FOR A SAFER JOURNEY ADAPT YOUR DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER

Even after roads have been treated, driving conditions may remain challenging especially on stretches of road where there’s greater risk of side winds or of ice forming. These include places where: -

• There are changes in road elevation or exposure
• Where the road passes under a bridge
• Objects at the side of the road create shade
• There is infrequent traffic

It’s also advisable to slow down on corners where the risk of losing control is at its greatest.

BE A SMARTER DRIVER – CHECK TRAFFIC AND WEATHER UPDATES
Before you set off it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren’t any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too – but remember not to use your phone while driving.

• Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx
• Check the weather at metoffice.gov.uk
• Call the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30
• Tune into DAB Traffic Radio

Remember to take regular breaks from driving – tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

Think ahead move ahead

View our Sixt winter driving tips.