Council’s gritting operation was a ‘shambles’

Dec 10 2008 by Graham Mann, East Kilbride News

THERE was widespread anger at the roads department’s slapstick response to the recent cold weather.

Councillors from all parties joined in the chorus of voices condemning officials for their failure to provide an adequate service.

Council leader Eddie McAvoy called an urgent meeting at the conclusion of Wednesday’s executive committee as elected members attempted to get to the bottom of the fiasco that resulted in ice-bound side streets and paths going untreated for days on end.

SNP councillor Anne Maggs was one of many who used the word “shambles” to describe what unfolded in the town last week.

She said: “It has been a shambles. I could use stronger words but I won’t. It seems that officers in the different areas did not understand the policy or did not interpret it properly.

“They were told in no uncertain terms that they got it wrong. To be fair to them they held their hands up and what we must ensure now is that this does not happen again.”

Conservative councillor Graham Simpson agreed, saying: “What happened last week was a shambles and most people will admit that. A lot of it came down to a lack of communication and people not understanding what the council policy is.

“There was widespread anger across the parties about the side streets not being gritted. This has now been done and hopefully people will not experience the same problems again.”

SNP councillor David Watson joined the chorus of critics, adding: “It is totally unacceptable that side roads were not treated over the prolonged cold spell and I’m extremely angry that constituents were being told when phoning South Lanarkshire Council that there had been a change in council policy and that was why the side streets were not being gritted. This is not the case and roads should still be treated where and when required.”

The News was also inundated with calls, letters and e-mails from residents who were furious at the failure to make the roads and streets safe.

Jean Cliffe, 66, from St Leonards, said: “It’s the council’s responsibility to make sure the pavements are safe to walk on. It’s an absolute disgrace if people are stranded in their homes because they are afraid to go outside in case they fall over.”

And Eddie Connelly, from Troon Avenue, added: “The lack of gritting this year is quite unacceptable and presents a real risk of serious injury not to mention potential compensation claims which would negate any savings made on salting the roads.

“When I first moved to EK eight years ago I was proud of the service given to me by the council, regular gritting, weekly refuse uplift, street cleaning and shrubs regularly pruned, all of which have seriously deteriorated.”

Joan Hanlan, of Glenavon Street, Strathaven, told us on Wednesday that school and local bus routes had not been gritted six days after the temperature fell below zero.

She said: “All the residents in this area are up in arms about this as there has been no gritting at all. We are surrounded by two steep hills in and out of this area which comprises between seven and eight housing areas with only one road in and one road out.”