Difficulty getting to work

DullGreyGuy

throughtheblue said:

In these cases, where I can't get to work by my normal affordable way, am I entitled to claim expenses to get to work a different way that would usually cost me too much, be that a taxi or expensive bus I couldn't afford to travel on for a week. (I work in the NHS).

What your employer allows you to expense is down to their rules, certainly the majority wouldnt entertain such expenses but in exceptional circumstances exceptional decisions can be made (though not sure this counts as exceptional)

HMRC however do not allow employers to pay your normal commute even if its by exceptional means and so any payment you received would be liable for normal employment taxes

diystarter7

comeandgo said:

I also stay rural Scotland with our lovely snow and lack of gritters and would highly suggest winter tyres.  These snow socks are not very good and a faff to get on especially when it’s absolute hail and cold and then take off when you reach clear gritted roads.  Are you able to leave your car at the end of your road and walk to it?  The other option, though more expensive, is get a 4 x 4.  It’s what we have had to do.

Hi

As I have already said, winter socks and or all-weather tyres are no match for winter tyres as my previous post/experiences.
Even proper 4x4 cars can get stuck with ordinary tyres a lot easier than if you had winter tyres
Winter tyres I was advised by my son were like turning a rear-wheeled drive automatic into as good as many of those so-called 4x4. I was about to change to a 4x4 at the time because of the snow but th Continentals transformed the car into a car that could not go wrong in the snow. Whereas I dread even a few mm of snaow I tackled easily side roads with compacted and fresh snow.

If anyone lives in an area where they get a few weeks of snow almost every year and their roads are not gritted, I'd recommend winter tyres - but tell the insurance guys if you do that and consult a tyre fitting outfit.

Good luck OP I hope your all weather tyres and socks work for you.

PS: Guys, the OP seeked help, please respect that.

Thanks

SiliconChip

diystarter7 said:

throughtheblue said:

GrumpyDil said:

It would probably help to understand how bad the conditions are by you. 
I'm outside Peterborough and whilst it's cold the conditions are nowhere near beeing too bad to drive. But we do have bad weather policies and if they became too bad to safely drive to work then there is room for negotiation around working time back etc.

That said can I ask why it would be unsafe for you to drive when you seem to think buses and taxis would be safe. 

Mainly because my car has summer tyres, and I presume buses/taxi may be more prepared. I'm surprised the buses are running where I am, but this area does get snow, so maybe it's common to be prepared. The bus was crawling along, and at 8pm last night, the snow was settling on the main road, and other roads hadn't been gritted. 
Once my all-season tyres are on, then I should be more prepared.

Hi again

Please consider winter tyres - but you need to tell insurance and then most people change them come better weather so costs and storage to consider but all season better than summer

Most insurers do not require you to inform them if you are using winter tyres, the full list can be found here.

https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publications/public/motor/2019/abi-guide-to-winter-driving---the-motor-insurance-commitment.pdf 

To the OP I lived in Highland Perthshire during the snowiest winters experienced this century (2009/10 and 2010/11) and winter tyres were an essential for me - I bought a set fitted on steel wheels and just swapped them for the alloy wheels in October/November and March/April. As long as you have somewhere to store 4 wheels and you have somewhere you can change them (a trolley jack was a big help) then the cost is minimal in the long term. There were a few occasions when the snow was so deep in the track to my house that it wasn't possible to get out, and there was no public transport, but fortunately I was able to work from home, is that an option for you? If it hadn't been for me then I don't think it would have been sensible to buy the house in the first place.

SergeantBaker

diystarter7 said:

comeandgo said:

I also stay rural Scotland with our lovely snow and lack of gritters and would highly suggest winter tyres.  These snow socks are not very good and a faff to get on especially when it’s absolute hail and cold and then take off when you reach clear gritted roads.  Are you able to leave your car at the end of your road and walk to it?  The other option, though more expensive, is get a 4 x 4.  It’s what we have had to do.

Hi

As I have already said, winter socks and or all-weather tyres are no match for winter tyres as my previous post/experiences.
Even proper 4x4 cars can get stuck with ordinary tyres a lot easier than if you had winter tyres
Winter tyres I was advised by my son were like turning a rear-wheeled drive automatic into as good as many of those so-called 4x4. I was about to change to a 4x4 at the time because of the snow but th Continentals transformed the car into a car that could not go wrong in the snow. Whereas I dread even a few mm of snaow I tackled easily side roads with compacted and fresh snow.

If anyone lives in an area where they get a few weeks of snow almost every year and their roads are not gritted, I'd recommend winter tyres - but tell the insurance guys if you do that and consult a tyre fitting outfit.

Good luck OP I hope your all weather tyres and socks work for you.

PS: Guys, the OP seeked help, please respect that.

Thanks

Is the snow that bad in London?

marmite1979

SergeantBaker said:

diystarter7 said:

comeandgo said:

I also stay rural Scotland with our lovely snow and lack of gritters and would highly suggest winter tyres.  These snow socks are not very good and a faff to get on especially when it’s absolute hail and cold and then take off when you reach clear gritted roads.  Are you able to leave your car at the end of your road and walk to it?  The other option, though more expensive, is get a 4 x 4.  It’s what we have had to do.

Hi

As I have already said, winter socks and or all-weather tyres are no match for winter tyres as my previous post/experiences.
Even proper 4x4 cars can get stuck with ordinary tyres a lot easier than if you had winter tyres
Winter tyres I was advised by my son were like turning a rear-wheeled drive automatic into as good as many of those so-called 4x4. I was about to change to a 4x4 at the time because of the snow but th Continentals transformed the car into a car that could not go wrong in the snow. Whereas I dread even a few mm of snaow I tackled easily side roads with compacted and fresh snow.

If anyone lives in an area where they get a few weeks of snow almost every year and their roads are not gritted, I'd recommend winter tyres - but tell the insurance guys if you do that and consult a tyre fitting outfit.

Good luck OP I hope your all weather tyres and socks work for you.

PS: Guys, the OP seeked help, please respect that.

Thanks

Is the snow that bad in London?

Something about this thread gives me the impression the OP has moved from there and hasn't read anything about the area beforehand as the locals will just go about their days as normal like the buses and taxis they've used. While themselves seriously think special arrangements and extra money can be considered 

As we see in the news a few inches in London causes chaos and is the headline story whereas the foot or tow in Scotland is mentioned in the weather forecast. And where are all the Chelsea Tractors?

Ditzy_Mitzy

I've negotiated worse in a low-slung sports car with normal tyres; there were no other vehicles available, and I worked shifts.  Just be careful, drive slowly and change up early to avoid putting too much torque through the driving wheels.  Plan, too, and try to avoid using the brakes.  Most cars will steer on snow if they are rolling, but won't if the wheels lock up.  Gentleness is key.  

Longwalker

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

I've negotiated worse in a low-slung sports car with normal tyres; there were no other vehicles available, and I worked shifts.  Just be careful, drive slowly and change up early to avoid putting too much torque through the driving wheels.  Plan, too, and try to avoid using the brakes.  Most cars will steer on snow if they are rolling, but won't if the wheels lock up.  Gentleness is key.  

Same here. Snow isnt the worse, theres some traction at least on snow, - compacted frozen snow is a different matter, but for someone not used to driving on it I can understand their worries 

This past week my 5 min drive to work is taking 3 times as long as Im driving country lanes thick with ice. I dont rush, I take my time and if Im late Im late, rather arrive in one piece then not at all. I have found that employers are pretty easy going when you live in an area that has severe weather conditions

Those of us who live on steep lanes park up somewhere safe on the flat and walk rather then risk the car sliding out onto a road 

TELLIT01

How problematic the amount of snow is depends on many factors.  Police closed main roads in our area for the first time I can remember. 

diystarter7

SiliconChip said:

diystarter7 said:

throughtheblue said:

GrumpyDil said:

It would probably help to understand how bad the conditions are by you. 
I'm outside Peterborough and whilst it's cold the conditions are nowhere near beeing too bad to drive. But we do have bad weather policies and if they became too bad to safely drive to work then there is room for negotiation around working time back etc.

That said can I ask why it would be unsafe for you to drive when you seem to think buses and taxis would be safe. 

Mainly because my car has summer tyres, and I presume buses/taxi may be more prepared. I'm surprised the buses are running where I am, but this area does get snow, so maybe it's common to be prepared. The bus was crawling along, and at 8pm last night, the snow was settling on the main road, and other roads hadn't been gritted. 
Once my all-season tyres are on, then I should be more prepared.

Hi again

Please consider winter tyres - but you need to tell insurance and then most people change them come better weather so costs and storage to consider but all season better than summer

Most insurers do not require you to inform them if you are using winter tyres, the full list can be found here.

https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publications/public/motor/2019/abi-guide-to-winter-driving---the-motor-insurance-commitment.pdf 

To the OP I lived in Highland Perthshire during the snowiest winters experienced this century (2009/10 and 2010/11) and winter tyres were an essential for me - I bought a set fitted on steel wheels and just swapped them for the alloy wheels in October/November and March/April. As long as you have somewhere to store 4 wheels and you have somewhere you can change them (a trolley jack was a big help) then the cost is minimal in the long term. There were a few occasions when the snow was so deep in the track to my house that it wasn't possible to get out, and there was no public transport, but fortunately I was able to work from home, is that an option for you? If it hadn't been for me then I don't think it would have been sensible to buy the house in the first place.

Hi 

Many thanks but the fact is many do not even think about it, never mind look it up is why I said it. Then they have a crash and come unstuck when the assessor checks the tyres/etc.

However, thank you but IMHO, if in doubt re changes to your car, contact the insurance outfit

Thanks

diystarter7

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

I've negotiated worse in a low-slung sports car with normal tyres; there were no other vehicles available, and I worked shifts.  Just be careful, drive slowly and change up early to avoid putting too much torque through the driving wheels.  Plan, too, and try to avoid using the brakes.  Most cars will steer on snow if they are rolling, but won't if the wheels lock up.  Gentleness is key.  

Hi

It does not matter if its a "sports car" or not, just saying

What matters is often

Drivers ability
Snow/ice conditions
The steepness or angles of roads etc
Whether you car is front, rear or 4x4
Wherther car has gadgets to help snow/ice etc
Your car is manual or automatic
The width of your tyres
And this has a massive impact, if you have winter tyres or summer tyres

NB: The above list is not exhaustive but covers a lot of what most will encounter,

Thanks