Westhill residents yesterday hit out at the state of their “disgraceful” icy pavements claiming some of the grit bins in the town had been empty for a week.
Council workers arrived in the town with grit deliveries yesterday, but some residents questioned whether it would even be used on the streets.
Last night, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of the roads, landscape and waste management department, Philip McKay, explained that priorities had to be made owing to the “vastness” of the roads network.
‘Worst gritting job in 40 years means I can’t leave my home’
He said: “The council has an obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the safety of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads. We are grateful for the occasions where people have been pro-actively ensuring that their street or footpath is safe for their neighbours, as it compliments our wider efforts.
“We would ask that community-spirited people who perform snow and ice clearing take care that it is safe for them to do so.”
Heather Cook, chairwoman of the Westhill and District senior citizens group, said she thought the pavements were “disgraceful” and added: “They are like sheets of ice.”
Operations and service lead at special needs centre SensationALL, Suz Strachan, said there had not been as many service users as usual venturing out because of the conditions. She said any offer of help to clear paths would be “greatly appreciated”.
She added: “Due to some of our children being in wheelchairs, we have to walk them to and from school if they are here for the breakfast and after school clubs – it is essential for us that the paths are cleared.”
Another resident on Broadshade Road described gritting since she had moved in four years as being sporadic.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I pay my council tax – I’m not exactly sure that I’m getting value for money. The pavements have never been gritted – they are treacherous.
“We had to go and fill up the grit bin ourselves last year by buying some from B&Q.
“I have not seen anyone from the council gritting the pavements at all for two weeks.”
Aberdeenshire Council said the local authority had about 15,000 tonnes of grit in stock with a further 4,500 tonnes arriving on Tuesday.
Residents can order more grit for street bins by calling 03456 081205.
