10:38am Wednesday 23rd December 2009
HIGHWAYS bosses insist they have plenty of grit left to use on for East Lancashire's roads, but residents said the continuing wintry weather had left them stranded.
For the second day running, heavy snow hit the area at rush hour yesterday morning, creating more hazardous driving conditions and hitting bin collections.
Council chiefs said their gritters were 'working around the clock' to keep the main roads clear, but people living on smaller streets said they still felt neglected.
Lancashire County Council said it now had seven days' worth of rock salt across the county, although attempts to bring in more from a mine in Cheshire could be hampered by the bad weather.
Another 30 tonnes was expected to arrive at the Burnley depot yesterday afternoon.
Blackburn with Darwen Council, which controls its own highways, said it had 'plenty' of grit for the roads.
But both councils faced continuing criticism from people living off the main routes - and one councillor took matters into his own hands.
Salim Mulla, the Labour member for Queen's Park, spent more than £100 on grit and buckets from B&Q and spent yesterday morning handing it out to residents.
He said: "We councillors are paid an allowance, and this is a good way to spend it.
"I had received about 30 of calls from people - and I thought if the council aren't going to provide a service then I should provide it."
Rashad Ali, who runs Rightway Cash and Carry, Audley Range, Blackburn, said pallets of rock salt had been flying off the shelves.
He said: "We had another big delivery today, and have sold loads and loads."
Blackburn with Darwen Council staff were sent out to grit pavements by hand in key spots, but a spokesman said: "Unfortunately we cannot grit every single side street, so we urge people to take extra care."
Pensioner Eve Macharsky said she and other elderly residents of Pendle Drive, Blackburn, had been made 'prisoners' in their homes by a lack of gritting.
Asked whether he judged the county council's operation to be a success so far, Tory highways boss Keith Young said: "The answer is a guarded yes.
"We have managed to keep all the critical routes on our list open, and they are working as hard as they can to keep it going."
Nelson Labour councillor Eileen Ansar said the council's gritting lorries had not been able to cover Ada Street because of residents parking in the street, blocking the highway.
It was also reported a fire engine was unable to access Beaufort Street, Nelson, because of the icy road.
And county councillor for Pendle Mohammed Iqbal added: "I have had calls from people who have been ringing and waiting for 30 minutes to report problems to the county council.
"Elderly residents in Regent Street, Nelson, which is a main bus route have not seen any gritters since Thursday."
Highways bosses were waiting for a Met Office briefing before deciding where to grit last night, but another chilly night was expected.
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