The real problem is that in the UK we 'might' get a bit of snow, so it doesn't warrant a massive capital investment. When I used to drive to Austria, there were no problems as they knew they were going to get 10 feet of the stuff, so the various agencies are prepared...marker poles go out on the motorways in October, there are massive fleets of snowploughs and gritters, there is a large workforce of men whose job is to clear snow from paths, laybys etc. It warrants the capital investment. Over here we have had 2 bad (for us) winters. Lets say the government throws a massive amount of money at it...£50million +. We can buy ploughs, gritters, specialised kit for airports etc...then we have 10 'mild' winters. Everyone will be up in arms "What a waste of money "etc...until the next time. The government, whatever the colour, are in a no win situation.Oh, and where would we get the workforce of manual labourers? Fly them in from Poland, 'cos it seems to me that most Brits don't want to do physical work!