Mid Sussex District Council thinks its response to adverse weather is to clear the council car parks

9.46.00pm GMT Thu 7th Jan 2010

The District Council still seems to think highways and pavements are solely the County Council's responsibility and only seem to be gritting the main car parks (using contractors apparently). Yet many of their staff may be under employed because the weather (no bin service and leisure centres closed) so it would be nice to think that more could be done to help local residents to clear roads and pavements.

The latest message from the District Council is to inform us the bin service has been cancelled (as if we hadn't't't guessed already given they were due to come the day before the snow came and didn't turn up). However almost in the same sentence they seem to be putting all responsibility for gritting on the County Council - who don't they publicise any work they are doing themselves. Hasn't it occurred to them they could be using refuse, leisure services and street cleansing staff to help with the effort? Maybe they are but just choosing not to publicise it? Unlikely but possible?

From the Mid Sussex website:

"Thurs 7th Jan: The Refuse and Recycling collection has been cancelled due to the severe weather. For information on the gritting of highways and footpaths contact West Sussex County Council on 01243 642105. We have gritted, and are continuing to grit, car parks, as well as clearing snow from car parks across the district."

Simon Hicks, Burgess Hill Town Councillor says the District Council should publicly take some responsibility for combating the effects of the snow and ice in its area by highlighting any aid to the County and Town Council efforts in clearing roads and pavements, and taking responsibility for more than the areas car parks. "Its time the District Council took on a community leadership role, but may be we should credit them for clearing their car parks, because in the last snow they didn't even grit these!"