Wild and windy winter ahead…?

THE relentless rain of last autumn and winter in the UK and Ireland was made “10 times more likely and 20% wetter by human-caused global heating,” according to a study reported by The Guardian in May.

For anyone who braved the school run, commuted to work, or simply tried to enjoy some time outdoors during this time, these findings will come as no surprise. The downpours were inescapable – and the impact impossible to ignore.

In the six months following October 2023, more than a dozen significant storms hit the region. A study by Newcastle University and the Met Office warns that this gloomy trend is likely to continue. Dr. Colin Manning, the study’s lead author, commented: “Our work shows that such compound extremes will occur more frequently as our climate warms, likely bringing more severe impacts and a higher aggregation of separate damages arising from wind and flooding.”

Pressure mounts on local authorities

The effectiveness of councils’ street sweeping and gully cleaning efforts could be the difference between clear carriageways and costly floods; between cosy homes and ruined Christmases.

Practically, this puts increasing pressure on local authorities to maintain sufficient drainage. As the leaves start to fall in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of councils’ street sweeping and gully cleaning efforts will be essential. They could be the difference between clear carriageways and costly floods; between cosy homes and ruined Christmases.

They ensure accumulated leaves, litter and other debris doesn’t obstruct the flow of excess water into the drainage system. When gullies are clogged, even moderate rainfall can cause pooling on roads. This quickly creates hazardous driving conditions and increased wear on road surfaces.

The most capable and efficient specialist commercial equipment

Proactive and sustained maintenance using the most capable and efficient specialist commercial equipment (such as the Scania/Whale 18t MVC and the DAF/Bucher V65) is essential to mitigate the growing challenges of our new weather reality.

So, have you secured your autumn/winter fleet yet? Do you have surge capacity available? Flood prevention is cheaper than flood recovery. Get in touch with the Endurance Vehicle Solutions team today for free advice on the best equipment for your region.