Concerns about roads not gritted
People across Bath have been taking matters into their own hands by clearing snow from roads.
There has been anger in some parts of the city which are not on B&NES Council's 260-mile network of gritting runs.
People living at Marshfield Way and Salisbury Way in Fairfield Park have been out with their spades clearing the roads of ice.
John Cooper, from Marshfield Way, spent two hours clearing his road, and said: "There has been no attempt to grit the roads around here, and we are just left stranded.
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"The ice is dangerous, and people cannot move their cars.
"People living on the roads have taken it into their own hands to clear the roads, as we are not getting help from the council.
"They just grit the main roads and don't bother with others."
Residents from Mendip Gardens in Odd Down worked together to clear the ice at the end of their cul-de-sac so vehicles could turn safely.
Eight people spent two-and-a-half hours clearing the road of ice, before council workers eventually gritted the street.
Resident Janet McPherson said: "This is the first time that the road has ever been gritted, it is a miracle and we are pleased.
"At the weekend it was just like years ago when everyone came out and did a bit to free up the street and help out the older people. Two of us started it off to free up one car and it snowballed, with more coming out to join in.
"Two of our residents are 98 and we have several in their 70s and 80s.
"Their carers are excellent and come up whatever the weather, and on Saturday one of our elderly ladies had to have an ambulance, which also had to turn around.
"It is the same every time there is significant snowfall and we have been asking for a grit bin in the turnaround for the last 10 years or more."
The council says that there are more than 400 grit bins across the city, and they are placed in areas where there is a steep gradient or high volume of traffic. A spokesman said: "The highways inspectors and the gritters have been out every night since the cold weather began clearing all the main 260 miles of roads, bus routes, roads around schools, hospitals and other key facilities as well as dealing with high priority incidents such as accidents and fallen trees to protect public safety.
"The council also clears car parks and heavily-used footways near bus stations, railway stations and busy shopping areas with the support of staff from various council teams.
"However inevitably there will be side roads, that although important, are not included in the main gritting routes. The council keeps the gritting routes under constant review.
"Full details of the gritting, routes and location of the bins are updated regularly on the council's website and information is regularly posted on Twitter."
Meanwhile, Quarry Rock Gardens at Claverton Down has been once again cut off, with many elderly residents unable to leave their homes.
The site, which is home to many people in their 80s and 90s, is cut off every time it snows.
Residents say that manager David Newman has not provided grit for the roads and pavements, which is private property.
Resident and local councillor Bryan Chalker called the site a forgotten village.
He said he was fed up with the same thing happening every time it snowed.
He said: "There are a lot of elderly residents here, and we have been round checking to see if they need anything. Every time it snows this happens, and nothing is done. I want to see grit bins placed at the entrance, and proper signage put in place so that emergency services know where to go when they arrive."
Mr Newman was not available to comment.
2 Comments
by Dave_Weston
Thursday, January 24 2013, 12:19PM
“Depends a bit on timing - we were out with others chipping the ice off and sweeping the road clean on Sunday, which seems to have kept it clear since, but if its needed on work day, a lot of those of working age will be out during the daylight hours. I've been trying to maintain the pavement bits I've cleared before setting out for work, but I wouldn't have had time to start clearing inches of fresh snow fall.”
by BV_BV
Thursday, January 24 2013, 11:41AM
“It's good to see there is community spirit in action, but I notice most of the people doing their bit are older residents. I will praise two lads about 30 years old who cleared the road on the hill in Bay Tree Road outside St Marks School. They don't even live on that hill. And the gritter came along as soon as they had finished!”