Remote villagers to get their own gritters

MINI-GRITTER . . . Councillor Roughley with Lisa MacDonald, area manager for the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership

Householders in isolated Saddleworth communities will have their own fleet of mini-gritters to combat snow problems this winter.

The visionary idea by Oldham councillor Alan Roughley means 20 hand-operated gritters will be used by volunteer groups on side roads and pavements inaccessible to grit waggons.

Councillor Roughley has already distributed leaflets outlining the unique scheme to residents near his home in Denshaw. These will go across to other villages in the next few weeks.

The councillor, who thought of the unique idea in the wake of last year’s snow, said: “I envisage up to a minimum of 30 houses on clusters of streets applying for a hand-gritter, which will be accompanied by a grit bin and shovel and loaned for the winter season.”

The mini-gritters, costing about £200 each, will receive a regular supply of road grit from the council which will refill the boxes. Each machine holds about 65lbs of grit. Volunteers will agree to grit their area whenever advised of heavy frost and snow.

“The complete area will need to be covered including the road and or pavements in front of houses,” added Councillor Roughley.

“If it is not used, the machine will be withdrawn. Six volunteers would make a workable team and they would be responsible for storing the machine and ensuring it is not stolen.

“The council cannot be responsible for volunteers’ actions and will not be insuring them for public liability, accident or resulting damage.”

He is working on a plan of weather alerts which could be texted or e-mailed to volunteers simultaneously as the council’s gritter force are warned of frosty or icy conditions.

Meanwhile, Oldham Council has announced plans to keep traffic moving on priority routes.

Broken or damaged grit bins have been refurbished or replaced, all gritting crews know their routes and are on standby, the gritters are fully serviced and routes have been planned to ensure the most effective use of grit supplies.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, said: “There is a considerable amount of high ground in Oldham and some major roads, including the A62, which are a priority to keep open and keep safe.

“The council also gives a priority to grit all the major bus routes. In addition, the council’s popular snow lines are now open and will stay open until the end of March next year.”

There is a stockpile of 3,500 tonnes of salt held for immediate use, replenished as and when required.

A map of the priority routes can be seen on the council website at www.oldham.gov.uk/winter- maintenance.

Residents can apply for a mini-gritter by contacting Lisa MacDonald, area manager for the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, on 0161-770 5195. Alternatively, e-mail lisa.mcdonald@oldham.gov.uk .