LIB DEM DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER GRITTING FAILURE

5.30.00pm GMT Fri 15th Jan 2010

Leading Liberal Democrat councillor, Carol Woods, is calling on the County Council to explain why so many roads and pavements have been left untreated during the recent cold weather, despite additional funding from the local Health trust.

Having been given an extra million pounds by the local PCT, the Council had promised to increase the number of roads and paths that were gritted. However, almost all paths and non-main roads are still untreated and Carol Woods is now demanding to know how the money has been spent.

Carol Woods said, "I am all in favour of preventative healthcare measures but I am unconvinced that the additional funding provided by the PCT has been effectively used and that people have seen the benefit of that investment.

"I hoped this money would have allowed the Council to grit more streets and pavements so that people could safely get out of their house. This has not happened. Many elderly and infirm people have been virtually housebound in recent weeks because the Council has done nothing to make paths and streets safer.

"Even main roads and bus routes went untreated for long periods and the City Centre was extremely hazardous before work belatedly began on clearing the snow. Even now, most streets and pavements are extremely dangerous and I see no attempt being made to clear them.

"I have also received complaints from residents that the paths in and around the hospital itself were covered in ice, which makes a mockery of the idea that this extra money would be used to help prevent injuries.

"I have no doubt that the council staff have been working extremely hard to deal with these unusually severe conditions but I have no faith in the political leadership of the Council to spend this money wisely. I am calling on the Council leaders to explain how this additional money was spent and why we have not seen better results."