Anger over workmen’s snow fun
These 'works of art' by Network Rail staff have angered some nearby residents.
RESIDENTS and motorists were left fuming as workmen appeared to down tools to have a bit of fun in the snow.
During Sunday the men who are currently working on the closed-off Woolram Wygate crossing in Spalding used their shovels and wheelbarrows to create an impressive snowman and his dog.
But their antics have been criticised by people inconvenienced by the crossing closure, which has seen Woolram Wygate closed again just two months after a 12-week closure for remodelling of its junction with Pinchbeck Road.
South Holland district councillor Gary Taylor said: “The snowman is a work of art. They obviously have a lot of experience of building snowman because some real craftsmanship has gone into it, but there doesn’t appear to be much work going on.”
And resident Mark Street, of Akita Close, said: “It is quite frustrating when this closure is causing so much chaos to see a man in an orange vest, who should be working, shovelling snow to build a snowman.
“It’s obviously not something they’ve knocked together in five minutes during a tea break. Some real work has gone into it.”
Network Rail defended workers against criticism that work is taking too long, saying they are ahead of schedule and the road should reopen early if commissioning of the new crossing is successful next weekend.
But spokesman Rachel Lowe said: “Contrary to public misconception the workmen obviously are working hard to be ahead of schedule, but we will remind them that they are being watched and things like building a snowman can give the wrong impression.”
l Are you angered by this or is it just an acceptable bit of fun? Email spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
jonty
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 05:19 PMHow dare anybody try to inject a bit of fun into their lives!!!!, All concerned should be hung drawn and quartered., and anyone who dared to look and smile at the snowman should be banished to the salt mines.
joggaju
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 04:32 PMHopefully more snow on the way this weekend - cant wait to see what the workers come up with next - I do hope this complaining nonsense hasnt put them off - go for it guys !!
Wok Smuggler
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:37 PMWell said madgran47.
madgran47
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 09:20 AMShame on you moaners for only complaining about the snowman and dog, where is your appreciation for the pathway they made, maybe you do not know what it is like to work in freezing conditions, pity you should try it and see how well you would cope.
DelticHighlander
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:54 PMAS USUAL THIS PAPER ATTACKS NETWORK RAIL without reason! Lets get some FACTS; The original plan from the council was to do the work at the junction last May! This was put back by the council, but this conflicted with previous plans to shut the East Coast Mainline and divert the trains though Spalding. SO BLAME THE COUNCIL! In fact NR required a full road closure ie no pedestrians, the Council didn't want the road closed fully so "NR" had to 're-arrange before work could re-commence. These are the Staff which on a Sunday when there is no trains had 'no duties' but are required on site 247 for Safety! In FACT there is no Network Rail Staff actually working at this worksite. OTHER ATTACKS being the SteppingStone bridge and yes I agree its a very bad design especially the drainage! But the reason its there is the COUNCIL didn't want it to deviate from its original course, the delays in putting it up where do to the council not excepting the zig-zag footpath away from its original course. The main reason for the steps the way they are is so that mobility ramps can be added in the future opposite them (possible my crystal ball isn't working!) . Please look on the bright side when its finished there will be modern barriers which should cut down delays!
spaldonian
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:25 PMhardly something to have a moan about. It brought pleasure to the men creating the snowman and his dog, and smiles to passers by. And then to have it knocked down the day after was just appalling. Start having fun people. And as gone2lunch said, it is not the workmen or traffic management men's fault that the road is closed. This photo shold be framed and placed on the Mill Green signal box as a momento
Gone2lunch
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:15 PMYep, it is soooo annoying to have to tolerate a second road closure in a short space of time. but our views have been made known, to no avail, County Councillors note this reflects badly on you. But the problems are down to management in ivory towers, not the gents and ladies doing the works. It's so nice to see creative skills being put to use to cheer the nation up at this grim time of year. Wonderful work people, long may your humour and hardwork be appreciated.
joggaju
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:04 PMI saw this structure on Sunday evening as I drove through Spalding and thought it was such fun - get a life all you moaning minnies - we are all guilty of having done something we maybe shouldnt have in firms time - no harm done and I am sure that it brought a smile to many faces on Monday morning - well done for bringing a bit of fun to Spalding instead of the usual doom and gloom.
SpaldingBorn
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:15 PMWell said Rich82 :)
Rich82
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:08 AMFor the people that don't have a clue and are just living to complain and make a fuss about everything they can, get a life. The workmen and traffic management had if you noticed cleared the entire walkway of snow and ice down to the railway crossing to make it safe for everyone out of the goodness of there own hearts even for the peopleperson who has found a reason to complain about the snowman, I didn't hear you say thank you or mention this in your complaint!!! All the snow that was cleared from the path was used to build this sculpture, which rather than sit in vehicles keeping warm while they could not work due to the weather, they built this in freezing conditions just to bring a smile to people's faces walking past. I was upset to see that the snowman had been knocked down due to a complaint as it did bring a smile to my face when I saw it, everyone I have seen seems to think it was lovely, so I guess the next time something like this happens the workmen will just stay in there vans keeping warm knowing that there work is not appreciated and I will definatly not blame them for doing so, good job with the snowman lads, shame it has to come down due to a busy body.....
weekendhacker
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:53 AMwow what a fantastic snowman! cant believe people are taking offence to it? i would hazard to guess that the moaning minis were all tucked up in bed when to workmen were driving on the dangerous roads to get to work!!!!!
Lazy Daisy
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 07:03 AMThat is one of the best snow sculptures I've seen, especially the dog. What a great way to keep warm and entertain both themselves and passers by.
seinfeld
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:15 PMThis wasn't Network rail workers who made the snowman, it was the traffic management team who have to be on site 247 whilst roadworks are in place. Network rail have not been on site for much of the last 7 days. If anybody has been observant enough to notice there is a car or van there every night with the engine running and an occupant trying to keep warm. As there are no rail workers and in this weather a lot less pedestrians. I think this attempt to entertain and engage with the community was very nice of them and it did make me smile this morning. So lets not take it out on these guys who have an incredibly lowly paid boring job in these conditions and get on network rails back to get on with it and get it open again.
AndrewClark
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:25 PMTo be honest i've worked on the railway and ppl dont understand in certain weather conditions you cant do alot on the track and some jobs trackman have to do mean there sitting there bored stiff so why not take advantage of some snow. If ppl are to pathetic to see the fun side to summit then really get a sense of humor and learn to smile
choppy
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:08 PMThis is a case of a mountain being made out of a molehill by miserable self centred people in our society. Sure the closure is an inconvinience, but as long as the road opens in time where is the problem. We need a bit of humour in these depressing times.
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