Winter Gritting

If we thought last winter was difficult, this winter has already given us a lot to cope with. And after a Tory councillor promised that no expense would be spared to keep the roads clear, we’ve seen gritting cut back as supplies have run short, and some people have been almost completely housebound as a result of icy drives and paths.

Only a few months ago, the Council had backed Labour cllr Megan Swift’s call for all schools to be included on gritting routes, together with older people’s homes and similar facilities - but these plans were thrown out the window as the freezing weather set in.

In fact, the cut backs were so severe that none of the roads to Siddal were being gritted - an action Cllr Bob Metcalfe condemned as “completely unacceptable”. Many other vital routes in the ward - like Southowram Bank - have been impassable for days.

Obviously in bad weather there have to be priorities. But has the Council got it right this time? What would you like to see done differently if there is more bad weather in the next few weeks?