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08
Jan
'I've not seen Harrogate pavements this icy in my 50 years here'
A Harrogate couple have urged the council to use “more manpower” to help clear the pavements and side roads of thick ice.
Diana Spurr, 80, and Mike Streeton, 75, live on Valley Drive. Whilst they acknowledge the council's efforts to clear the main roads, they feel the ice, which followed heavy snowfall last weekend, is posing a threat to residents’ safety.
“It’s absolutely lethal, it feels like glass under your feet”, Ms Spurr told the Stray Ferret.
She added:
North Yorkshire Council hasn't done anything — maybe they have in the town centre but it’s now four days later and I've never seen somewhere so slippery.
I haven't seen anything like it in the 50 years I have lived here.
The icy path by Harrogate's war memorial today.
Mr Streeton said the ice caused the couple to fall in the town centre.
He said:
We were walking past Yorkshire Farmers Meat Co butchers on Tuesday, and I started slipping. As I fell, I dragged Diana down with me - her leg is all cut up from it.
We also saw a little boy fall, so it's a danger to young people too.
The pavements are so dangerous; it’s causing a risk to people’s safety which will only put the NHS under more pressure.
The Stray Ferret asked the couple what they would like to see happen going forward.
Mr Streeton said the council needs “more men on the ground” to lay grit on side roads and pavements.
He added:
It’s good the gritters are out but there needs to be more manpower. They could shovel the broken ice to one side on the pavement so we can walk side-by-side, too.
The pavement between Cambridge Road and West Park today.
Ms Spurr told the Stray Ferret she feels the council should take a more proactive approach and check on local residents during such adverse conditions.
The council posted on social media today it will be gritting priority routes again tonight.
Ice on Montpellier Hill.
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