Call for Council review on snow clearance procedures

1.15.00pm GMT Wed 13th Jan 2010

Jill Wareham, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for the Isle of Wight, is calling for a commitment from the Council to hold an inquiry on the impact of the recent cold weather on residents, especially as there seems to be some scepticism about the effectiveness of some of their actions.

"I eventually ventured out to Newport in my car on Friday, three days after the first snow fell, and was amazed to see that the pavements in the main town on the Island had not been cleared and people were walking along very gingerly.

"I understand the emergency services at St Mary's have been put under enormous pressure due to people falling over and breaking bones. Perhaps retailers should question the Council's inaction to provide safe pedestrian access bearing in mind the amount of business rates they have to pay.

"Considering the Council was showing off their twelve new gritting lorries and assuring us they had enough salt to cope with 20 days of continuous freezing conditions just weeks ago there is a need to review the effectiveness of their actions during this cold spell. These occurrences are becoming regular and the Council should be well prepared to cope and make sure the Island does not grind to a halt."