SEVERE winters represent a season for some countries, but weather conditions in Britain generally do not require the level of resources needed in Canada, the US and parts of Eastern Europe.

Recent weeks, however, seemed to have caught some of our local authorities out. Many of the villages in County Durham, including my own, were left to struggle through.

The main roads might have been passable, but for a number of residents, the more minor roads were neglected.

Ice-skating is a popular sport and activity, but not for those who prefer a leisurely walk. For many of our older generation, as well as the cruel chill, there was the reality that venturing out could not be considered because of a real fear of accident or injury.

Let’s get real. It shouldn’t be too difficult to ensure that, for a matter of a few weeks in the year, resources cannot be geared to addressing cold weather conditions and avoiding the kind of distress many people have had to endure.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe, Durham.

WHAT I would like to know is this: where were the children – those little entrepreneurs – when roads and paths were covered with ice and snow recently?

When I was a lad we would go round clearing paths for money.

Mind you, that’s when a shilling was of value (5p in new money, to you younger ones). Clear the snow? Many can’t lift a shovel.

No wonder there is such obesity.

JM Gowland, Heighington, near Darlington.