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Jan 2021

Last Updated: 18/01/2021

Environment

Appeal for patience as council refills grit bins

by Thomas Barrett

| 18 Jan, 2021

Several Stray Ferret readers complained over the weekend about untreated pavements, which prompted people to walk in the roads. Now the county council is appealing for patience as grit supplies are replenished.

North Yorkshire County Council has today appealed for patience as it refills grit bins following the recent prolonged period of snow and ice.

The Stray Ferret received several complaints from residents over the weekend, who said untreated pavements in the Harrogate district were too treacherous for pedestrians, forcing people to walk on roads.

Gritting is the county council's responsibility and besides employing gritters it maintains more than 3,000 self-help grit bins in North Yorkshire.

People can use the bins to grit minor roads and pavements but not private drives.

Stocks are replenished midwinter and in response to requests.

The long post-Christmas cold snap has led to higher demand than usual and the council's highways department has urged residents to use salt sparingly.

Gallery: stunning images of snow in the Harrogate district

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County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

"I would like to reassure residents that we are currently refilling grit bins and heaps as quickly as we can. This process is a huge task as we have responsibility for more than 3,100 grit bins and 4,700 grit heaps.

"Please bear in mind that those involved in replenishing the bins and heaps are the same people that drive the gritters and deal with other emergencies on the highway network.

"Whilst every effort is made to replenish the grit as soon as possible we do encounter unavoidable delays, which can occur during prolonged or repeated periods of very cold weather."

Wet weather is forecast for the next few days but the forecast is to turn colder by Friday, with further icy spells.

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Appeal for patience as council refills grit bins

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