Residents are questioning the council’s snow response after a week of chaos and icy conditions left many streets untreated and unsafe
He spoke to residents who were frustrated by the snow and ice that lingered for days. Many streets in his ward, especially those on Priority Two routes, were reportedly neglected. Streets like Windermere Road and Tanner Hill Road were mentioned as particularly problematic.
One resident, an 80-year-old woman from Buttershaw, reached out to the local paper. She shared that her carer couldn’t even reach her home because of the icy conditions.
The council claimed they were doing their best to help during the cold snap. They encouraged anyone not receiving care services to reach out for support. They explained that a lot of snow fell quickly, followed by freezing temperatures, making it tough to keep up.
Despite spreading over 4,650 tonnes of grit in just a week, the council admitted that gritting doesn’t make roads instantly safe. They explained that grit works by melting ice, but it’s less effective in extreme cold.
By the time they finished gritting the main routes, many side streets were still icy. The council also noted that their gritting vehicles need enough space to operate safely, which isn’t always available on narrower roads.
They acknowledged the frustration when some areas, like hospitals or schools, were treated while nearby streets remained icy. The council has over 550 grit bins available for residents to use, and they’ve been filling those up.
They also redeployed staff from various departments to help with snow clearing. Even those who usually work in the city center joined in to help clear snow during a big event.
The council expressed gratitude to community members who helped out, whether by shoveling their own streets or checking on neighbors. They emphasized that everyone’s efforts make a difference during tough times like these.
