Beating the Big Freeze

Sharon Thompson • Published 7 Jan 2010 11:17 0 Comments

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ASSURANCES have been given that Argyll and Bute Council have enough salt to keep gritters on the roads - and more is on the way.

Despite fears of supplies running out in other areas, the council say they have salt in stock, but are using it wisely.

The assurances came as forecasters warned that the big freeze would last at least another week.

A spokesperson for the council told the Advertiser on Tuesday: "We currently have some 1,500 tonnes of salt in stock at 16 separate locations, with more due to arrive on Friday.

"We have ordered an additional 5,000 tonnes from our supplier, which we hope will have arrived by the end of next week.

"In the meantime, we continue to be prudent in the way in which our salt stock is used."

However, it's claimed the Arctic conditions are forcing pedestrians in the Burgh to risk their own safety by walking on the roads instead of the ice-covered pavements.

Many pavements remain hazardous after having been affected by the sub-zero temperatures and an apparent lack of gritting activity.

Among the residents who have slammed the dangerous situation is Darrel Hendrie who lives close to the town centre. He said everyone from the elderly to the very young are forced to walk alongside passing cars on the road rather than tread on the treacherous pavements.

He said: "I cannot blame the council for the weather but I can blame them for doing very little."

An update issued by the council, after the Advertiser had gone to press, read: "At the start of each winter, we produce footway and footpath treatment routes based generally on the following priorities: Priority 1 - Urban Shopping Areas and Precincts, Priority 2 - Other areas of high pedestrian concentration (e.g. in the vicinity of hospitals and schools) and Priority 3 -Steep hills in housing developments and in the vicinity of residential homes for the elderly.

"In Helensburgh, these three priorities have been treated during normal working hours over the past two weeks. In particular, Tuesday January 5 was spent treating the areas around schools in anticipation of their return today.

"These footways will continue to be treated in accordance with our Winter Maintenance Policy.

"Any complaints regarding other footways are logged onto our Roads Maintenance Management System for record purposes and action where appropriate.

"Car parks are not public roads, nor are they included in the list of priority footways. However, Sinclair St has been treated this afternoon and Maitland Street is due to be treated tomorrow. Should we have enough resources available, the pier car park and the rest will also be done."

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY PICK UP A COPY OF THE HELENSBURGH ADVERTISER - OUT TODAY.

HOW HAS THE BIG FREEZE AFFECTED YOU? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS USING THE FORM BELOW.

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