I think the usual argument is that you guys are used to it, and also expecting it. Imagine you're a town council with a budget. You're in Ontario and you know that for several weeks, perhaps even months, every year, there will be snowfall of several feet each day. That really is a health risk, and that amount of time can really damage local business. Life has to go on, people can't afford to just put things on hold until the thaw. If you spend tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands on snowploughs, gritters, etc, it's a worthwhile investment. Now imagine your town council is in the UK. You're expecting perhaps four days out of three hundred and sixty-five to involve snow and ice in any noticeable amount - and even then it'll be the sort of amounts that people walk over rather than through and will probably all have melted by lunchtime. Is the enormous amount of money for an army of snowploughs and gritters, capable of clearing every street by 7am, a justifiable expense?