Zug,08.01.2009
Snow and Ice
The workers are clearing the snow and the ice away. But for some, they’re not doing it fast enough.
“It happens to be wintertime, it’s January.”
Peter A. Roos, Head of the snow removal crew
“We’ve noticed an unusual accumulation of falls resulting in femur neck and wrist breaks”, said Irene Dörig, responsible for communication at the Zuger Kantonsspital. For her it is clear: many accidents have to do with the ice that is still on the sidewalks. Are the snow-removal workers sleeping? “No, we’ve cleaned up just about everywhere”, says Peter A. Roos, head of the snow-removal crews in self-defense. All stairs and foot paths have been cleared from snow and ice, even the bike trails where possible. Right now his crews are working to eliminate the last remainders of snow and ice. “We have to sensitize the people again. It happens to be winter, it’s January”, says an agitated Roos who is upset that people expect that every bit of snow and ice should disappear immediately and everywhere. But that is not even realistic: “If snow falls, we clear on a basis of priority - first come the main traffic axles, then entrances to the stations, schools and hospitals and don’t forget all the bus lines.
Clearing snow and ice is complicated
“In the olden days we could just go back and forth and the snow was gone” explains Roos. Today is much more complicated due to the many traffic islands. “The snow remains hanging on the traffic islands and my people have go back and do it by hand” Not only traffic islands cause problems: “Trees and bushes often hang over the sidewalks because of the snow, obstructing the work.
Zuger spoiled, Aegerer are used to it
“We don’t have any problems - had only one call on Monday about an icy spot” says the pleased Unterägerer snow removal crew leader Urs Muff, and adds proudly: “If the snow removal services are well organized and the snow is immediately cleared, you don’t have to go back and use an ice pick”. Just the same, Muff has understanding for his Zuger colleagues. “We are used to snow”. In Zug however, the white splendour usually melts after one day, without anyone doing anything. But Muff also calls for a portion of healthy human understanding: “Just be reasonable and don’t demand that everything is completely freed of snow and ice. It is also a question of the environmental impact.”
And so sees it Irene Dörig of the Cantonal Hospital as well. Her tip to pedestrians: “Wear proper shoes, be careful, and keep your eyes open.”
Source/Media Partner: Neue Zuger Zeitung