Leader: Canadians put snow-clearing in perspective
But there is a limit to what even the most amply funded public authority can do in a country of Scotland’s size and dispersed population. And during last year’s big freeze-up, many Canadians visiting here were astonished at how we expected the local authority to sweep and clear all the pavements. In other countries people in the face of weather adversity are much more ready to lend a hand and do some sweeping and clearing round their own properties to help the general good. In the circumstances the offer of Transport Scotland is not unreasonable.
The worry, of course, is that it will go further. A cash-strapped Scottish local authority could now be tempted to tell residents to drive their own refuse lorries, sweep their own streets, fight their own fires and solve their own crimes. Even the best idea can only be taken so far.