Fed-up residents use Facebook to vent anger at council.

Dec 9 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

Fed-up residents of West Lothian are using Facebook to vent their anger at council.

FED-UP residents of West Lothian are using Facebook to vent their anger at West Lothian Council.

Nearly 3000 people have signed up to the ‘West Lothian Tax Payers for Gritted Streets and Filled Grit Bins’ group on the social networking site.

Other sites such as ‘Snow — West Lothian Council — Someone Must Take Responsibility’ and ‘West Lothian Council are Useless’ have also sprung up.

And members are unhappy at the response of the council to the snow that has covered the county.

Mike Cicero posted: “WLC you are an absolute disgrace. The way you’ve let us all down today and last week is unforgivable.

“Not one main route gritted, yet you had two days warning of heavy snow. And don’t tell us there’s nothing you could do, you could’ve at least ploughed the roads and cleared the pavements for people who are already struggling in their day to day lives.”

Ian Hart added: “Armadale streets are snow bound again. West Lothian Council drops the ball once more.”

On Monday Rosie Toal wrote: “Still no bin collection but with freezing temperatures at least there is no smell.”

Evelyn McCabe wrote: “Whitburn, as last year, is a total nightmare. Cars stuck everywhere and Manse Road, White Street and Bowling Green Road are a nightmare to drive in.

“Several residents haven’t made work since last Monday. I know its a thankless job but there comes a time when questions have to be asked.”

Valerie Campbell directed her anger at Council leader Peter Johnston after he announced the council was closing schools on health and safety grounds.

She said: “He forgets the clear health and safety risks of all other members of the community getting to and from work or walking to shops to get provisions. The elderly and disabled have to rely on goodwill of neighbours to help them at this time.

“Mr Johnston get your house in order and get to grips with the gritting and snowploughs and there would not be this problem.

“Once again an epic fail from West Lothian Council.”

The story was the same on the streets of West Lothian where Jan Stryker told the Courier the black eye she was sporting was courtesy of a fall due to ungritted pavements.

She said: “The pavements are impassable which means people have to walk on the road instead and end up getting soaked by passing cars.

“The weather is terrible and I’ve had a few falls as you can see.”