Icy conditions needs a more joined up response from County Council
December 23, 2009 9:22 PM
Snow in Burgess Hill 20/12/09
The current icy conditions following the recent snowfalls have caused problems for us all, and whilst major routes have been kept open side streets and pavements have become ice rinks, which are only now beginning to improve with a gradual thaw.
All this has caused accidents to soar, although the bulk of these have been minor, it is pedestrian injuries from falls and slipping that is of most concern. We can all help to tackle this problem, by clearing the pavement outside our front door, and checking on vulnerable neighbours. Local businesses should be encouraged to take responsibility for the pavement outside their premises not just clearing their entrance.
Whilst not denying the dedication of the gritters who go out in all hours to ensure major routes are kept open, West Sussex County Council, which is responsible for this service says it will only grit main roads. "Generally, no others will be salted except when there are prolonged icy spells or severe snow conditions, and then only after main routes have been covered." Clearly this is a major cold spell and more could be done to ensure other routes are salted.
Our local town councils such as Burgess Hill Town Council only have limited resources, with its own maintenance team prioritising action in the town. On Monday and Tuesday they were able to go out and grit the worst areas, but can only carry out hand gritting, but thanks to the co-operation of its staff even office employees were pulled out to do over and above that.
This "can do" attitude needs to be reflected across all council tiers. West Sussex County Council is responsible for the gritting service and needs to do more in periods of prolonged icy conditions: all bus routes should be priorities; salt bins which used to be available by the road sides should be reinstated with key trouble spots provided with free salt supplies automatically when ice is on the roads; council staff should be transferred from their normal duties to clear roads and pavements.
Mid Sussex District Council also needs to play its part, why was no action taken to salt its car parks and if the bin men cannot come out to collect the bins, why can't they be employed to help? Above all the different council tiers need to work together to resolve these problems.
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