05/01/10 - Learn the Lessons of the Snow Chaos



A Teesside Conservative Parliamentary Candidate has called on each of the Tees Valley councils to hold reviews into their reactions to the snow chaos once the icy spell is over.  Paul Bristow, the prospective Conservative MP for the Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland constituency has said that Teesside councils have a ''duty of care to local residents" and should ''look carefully into what has gone wrong".

Mr Bristow has also called for clarification over the legal status for residents and business people who clear the pavement outside their premises.

Local Authorities have come under criticism for policies that have seen main roads and pavements in town centres prioritised.   

Mr Bristow commented:

"There has been considerable criticism throughout the Tees Valley about the lack of gritting and snow clearance by the local authorities responsible, especially on side streets and pavements.  In Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland there has been, at best, minimal gritting on main roads only.  Pavements are particularly treacherous with many residents unsure if they are supposed to clear the path outside their home.

"We have had this icy spell for weeks and it seems our local authorities are still struggling to cope.  I understand that they are under acute pressure but we hear the same excuses every year.

"What is needed is a comprehensive review of practice by each council to learn once and for all the lessons for dealing with bad weather.  They should work together and listen to the public.  Each local authority has a duty of care to local residents and should look carefully into what has gone wrong.''


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