Request for better gritting at our schools

A local Lib Dem councillor has called for Sefton Council to review its current policy which is not to grit near schools in icy weather. Councillor Sue McGuire raised her concerns at the 3 Feb meeting of Southport Area Committee.

The Area Committee had before it a report on the “Winter Service” following concerns expressed about road conditions in early January. However the report makes clear (para 1.9) that Sefton’s policy is “not to accede to requests for additional gritting at locations which do not form part of the approved gritting routes.”

“The problem is that most schools are not on the approved gritting routes,” explained Cllr McGuire.“It is only if the school happens to be on a main road that the gritters will cover the approaches to the school however even then this does not include gritting on the pavements. For example, Marshside Primary School, one of the schools in my ward is on the gritting route however the lack of gritting on the pavement meant some children were kept off school because many parents felt that getting their children to school was too dangerous during the snow and ice.”

Sue added “I am glad that the Area Committee have backed my call for the Council to be asked to look again at the current approved gritting routes. I have suggested that the roads and pavements closely surrounding most or all schools could and should be added to the list.”

The report on “Winter Service” to the 3 February Southport Area Committee can be found here:http://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000159/M00004756/AI00010519/$WinterServiceSptAC030210JMc.docA.ps.pdf