Update and correction to my last post.
It was in February 2009, not this year, 2010, that 'Road Closed signs were first used.
I spotted Conway's putting out 'Road Closed' signs at around 7pm last night. These effectively 'sealed off' the Tewkesbury Lodge Estate - although some of the signs said 'except for access'. I suspect this is because they were short of 'Road Closed' signs - why else would anyone want to chance the slippery hills?
I am concerned that the Council are making the decision to close roads. Many of the 'Estate' roads have been passable, especially by 4x4's and cars with snow chains - yes some people do have them. Some have been reasonably well treated too. I recognise that some drivers seem unable to assess whether the conditions are safe - but really the onus should be on the driver rather than the Council to decide whether their vehicle and their driving skills are up to the road conditions.
I am also concerned that closing the roads, rather than treating them, makes the area inaccessible to emergency vehicles quite apart from post vans, deliveries etc. I'm sure that a single gritting vehicle fitted with snow chains could treat all the hills in the Lewisham area in a reasonable period - and the capital investment in buying the chains and training the drivers to use them would be tiny compared with the cost of accidents and lost working hours caused by failing to treat the roads.