Snow continues to cause chaos in West Lothian

Dec 31 2009 by kbarrSUN, West Lothian Courier

WEST Lothian Council has come under fire this week as severe weather continued to grip the county.

Local people have contacted the Courier with complaints over the condition of roads and pavements following heavy snow and freezing temperatures.

Mary Mitchell (65) of King Street, Armadale, said she is concerned for the safety of her elderly neighbours.

She said: “Where I live, seven out of 14 residents are OAPs and the roads and pavements are sheer ice.

“I nearly fell when I went out the other day and I was so wary of hurting myself I’ve not been out since.

“I asked my son to go and get some bread and milk for one of my neighbours who is 81 because I would be really worried about her going out when the pavements are in this state.

“I think the condition of the pavements is an absolute disgrace.

“ The council is saying that it gives priority to the elderly and disabled but that’s not true in this street.

“We really feel like the council has forgotten about us.

“We have even asked for a yellow grit bin so we can spread the salt ourselves but we haven’t been given that either.”

Mrs Mitchell’s view was shared by George Welsh of Deer Park in Livingston, who said residents in Barnes Green, are having serious difficulty leaving their street.

“There are two tracks on the road where people have been driving and the rest of the road is solid ice – you can feeling it scraping your car,” he said

“I know that the council say they need to use the gritters for the main roads, but what about those of us who can’t get to the main roads because we can’t even get out of our streets?

“I’ve phoned the council but I can’t even get anyone to speak to about my complaint.

“And when I called their customer services and complaints number I couldn’t even leave a message.

“Since the snow started I have only seen two gritters and neither of them ventured anywhere near the residential streets.”

A caller from Westfield also added her concerns about what she said was the failure of the council to act.

She said: “The roads round here are an absolute disgrace and no one at the council can give me any idea of when they will be gritting them.”

Alex Lundie also contacted the Courier to say there are also serious problems in East Whitburn, near Redmill Nursing Home.

He said: “Redmill Nursing Home supplies vital needed nursing care to the elderly in the Whitburn and surrounding areas.

“While providing that care it would be reasonable to expect that West Lothian Council would ensure that access to the nursing home would be a priority for doctors, ambulances, essential emergency services and staff around the clock to those that most need and deserve continued care and ensure they receive it.

“Redmill is a privately-owned care facility paying rates to West Lothian Council for services they are simply not being provided with, especially during the times when they are most needed.”

However, West Lothian Council has defended its record and said it is working hard to keep routes clear.

A spokesman said: “Huge efforts are being made to keep the streets of West Lothian clear throughout the current bad weather.

“The main priority of keeping the local main road network clear has been achieved thanks to gritters and snow ploughs treating all 600 miles of main road four of fives times each day.

“Council staff from Street Cleansing and Nets and Land Services have been drafted in to help their roads colleagues, some of whom have been working 18-hour shifts, and three private firms have also been brought in to assist.”

The authority says 110 staff have been working daily, to put down over 800 tons of grit each day and refill over 400 grit bins each day.

And the council says it has enough grit to treat roads for the next few days with more supplies on order.

Council leader Peter Johnston added: “I’d like to especially thank our dedicated staff who have worked round the clock in extremely difficult conditions to try and ensure the streets are as clear as possible.

“Given that this is thought to be the worst spell of weather to hit West Lothian in 25 years, I would hope residents would appreciate that we are doing all we can under very difficult conditions.

“ We are already hearing anecdotes of communities getting together to clear paths, dig out cars and help vulnerable neighbours.

“It is heart warming to hear the West Lothian community are rallying round in difficult circumstances for us all.

“The weather is predicted to continue in the same pattern of frequent snow and freezing temperatures for the next week or so but residents can rest assured we will continue to do all we can to help despite the difficult conditions.”