Perth and Kinross Council facing gritting anger

Jan 1 2010 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH and Kinross Council has come under fire from members of the public, angry at the perceived lack of gritters on the streets.

After almost two weeks of icy conditions, coupled with the snowfall at the weekend, members of the public contacted the PA complaining that their roads had been left for days without treatment.

Dr Stewart Templeton, who lives in the South Street, phoned the PA after navigating the icy pavements.

He said: “I’ve been out in the snow and I’m back home and I’m really not sure if I’m going to go back out in it. Absolutely nothing has been done to the pavements. It seems pathetic in this day and age.

“And on Monday, when I phoned the helpline to find out why there had been no grit put on the roads or pavements, I was told by the council it was a public holiday.

“I am sure they aren’t prepared to pay adequate overtime – if they did there would be people willing to go out and shovel the snow.”

One housebound PA reader, who declined to be named, added: “My wife travelled into Perth to pick up prescriptions and the ice and snow-covered pavements were a death-trap. It’s a disgrace.

He suggested: “Back in the ’50s, the town council got men on the dole to shovel snow off the pavements – it’s an idea that should be considered again!”

And when Anna Geddes, who lives near Auchterarder, phoned to find out why the rural roads around the Lang Toon and Crieff hadn’t been gritted, she claimed she was told that there “wasn’t enough money in the pot.”

Anna explained: “We have lived at Kinkell Bridge for about 13 years now and I understand that our road is way down on the priority list.

“But when I phoned up I spoke to a guy who was rude and had an attitude. He told me that I live in Scotland and it’s winter so I should get used to it.

“He then told me that due to financial constraints, there was a chance rural roads wouldn’t be cleared. He referred

me to the council gritting policy on their website, which confirmed this.”

Anna added: “I have a 4x4 and I am a careful driver but I have to drive my kids to and from school and the three miles from my home to Auchterarder – where the roads are clear – is treacherous.”

Engineer Bill Cherrie, who lives in Abernethy, voiced his concerns about the elderly.

He said: "It's been over 24 hours since we've had any snowfall of note and the roads near where I live still haven't been cleared.

"It's nothing short of a joke. If the council's roads staff worked in the private sector they would be sacked.

"Most of the people who live near me are elderly and, while they're still more than capable, they can't be expected to clear roads themselves.”

Perth and Kinross Council's main priority over the festive period was to grit 910km of priority roads and this work continues around the clock, explained a spokeswoman.

She said: “From December 28, the council increased its manpower to grit some minor roads and this will carry on over the next few days.”

VULNERABLE Perthshire residents have become prisoners in their own homes following the big freeze, it was claimed yesterday.

A Scone resident contacted the PA to draw attention to the plight of seniors living in sheltered housing in Scone, where pavements have remained unsalted for days.

Servite House in Corrie Place is occupied by pensioners who require care visits, but piled-up snow has led to concerns that emergency services may be unable to gain access.

“There’s a warden there all the time, but these old people need to go out,” an anonymous relative told the PA.

“Living in sheltered accomodation is not like being in a care home and the residents are virtually cut-off.

“Many residents are over 90 and carers are struggling to get through with their pills.”