Grayson on slow county response to road gritting

10.11.00am GMT Tue 22nd Dec 2009

Following terrible road conditions in Hemel last night, Richard Grayson and Herts Liberal Democrats are calling for a rethink of the gritting policy of Conservative-run Herts County Council. Dr Grayson said:

"There seem to be huge problems even on main roads, despite this being the second sustained period of snow this year. I saw at first hand lat night how difficult things were in main roads like Lawn Lane, Belswains Lane, London Road, and Station Road. There was absolute chaos with it difficult to get traction even on flat main roads. What should have been a one hour trip to a supermarket took me three and a half hours due to the slow traffic. There came a point when the town appeared to be gridlocked so I even had to ditch the trip the supermarket. I saw at first hand how local people were struggling with the roads.

"Over the past few days many local residents have asked me why their roads and pavements have not been gritted. I understand that the County Council cannot grit every road in the county, but we expect better on the main roads."

Cllr Chris White, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition at County Hall said: "We have received reports from across the county that gritting was not effective. And yet all we get from the county council is a self-congratulatory press release."

Cllr Harris added "In Highfield buses are changing their routes because some roads are too dangerous. Fletcher Way with shops, school, old peoples home, a bus route and a important link road has had no grit!"