Gritting Southport's roads

9.57.00am GMT Wed 4th Feb 2009

Sefton's gritting policy should be reviewed.

During this prolonged cold spell gritting lorries have been out across Southport and the rest of Sefton. Working within existing council policy, major roads and bus routes have been gritted - which covers about 35% of all roads.

Schools that are not on major routes are not being covered which is worrying. Safety concerns for children getting to school mean that these roads should also be gritted when necessary.

The gritting budget for 2008/09 is £441,000 for the whole of Sefton. Up until 5th January the cost has been £439,000. So, there will be an overspend this year as the bad weather continues.

The Council's gritting policy was set out in 2004. However, the Liberal Democrat group of councillors are going to look at the policy. The Lib Dems feel the gritting policy needs updating and that the budget for the forthcoming year needs to be revised.