On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote:
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality
tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before
last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level
roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my
deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some
snow chains.

Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly
not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm

Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from
impossible to manageable?


Snow chains work, they are (or used to be) mandatory on many alpine
passes in the winter. They are a bit fiddly and messy to put on and off.
Have a set somewhere but have not used them for many years in spite of
having similar difficult hills locally.

You shouldn't drive very far on tarmac with them (and are likely to get
shouted at by the police if they catch you). Speed with them is limited
(30 mph? 50 mph?). You might find the modern fabric boots a bit more
convenient; more expensive than these chains but if your journey has a
hill at either end with a short-ish bit of level clear road in the
middle you might get away with leaving them on (driving slowly) where
you might feel the need to remove and replace the chains. Not sure which
gives more traction.