Councillor denies gritting row claim
Reporter: Marina Berry
Date published: 29 December 2009
A SNOWED in motorist is angry after he claimed a local councillor told him to “sod off” in a heated conversation over gritting.
Carl Wilcock-Chadderton had to dig out his own vehicle and help neighbours free their cars from the town centre Lord Street car park three days in a row.
They use a section reserved for Henshaw Street residents, and the 40-year-old made several pleas to Oldham’s Highways Department to clear and grit the car park.
But after seeing no action he contacted Councillor Mohib Uddin, who he believed was his representative, but in fact covers Coldhurst ward.
The councillor e-mailed highways bosses on Mr Wilcock-Chadderton’s behalf, but his frustration mounted when the situation was not resolved.
Mr Wilcock-Chadderton said: “The Highways Department said they were dealing with primary roads, so I explained people couldn’t even get off the car park to get on to the roads.
“I rang Councillor Uddin to complain, things got slightly heated, and I asked how the council could afford to spend £100,000 on a logo which a four-year-old could have come up with, but can’t find the money to grit roads.
“He told me to sod off and put the telephone down.
“I am very unhappy about this. I understand the pressure the snow has brought, but I don’t expect to be told to sod off by a local councillor,” said the Scottish and Southern Energy electrical engineer.
Councillor Uddin said he did not accept Mr Wilcock-Chadderton’s claim, saying: “After five minutes of him complaining about everything, it came to the point where there was no point in continuing the conversation, it wasn’t going anywhere.
“I told him that and cut him off. If he is upset in any way I apologise, but we all need to take a step back and appreciate the tremendous job our Highways Department is doing.
“We have had some of the worst snow for a good few years and staff are working 12-hour shifts at a very difficult time.
“I appreciate people are frustrated and everyone wants their own patch doing, but we have to be realistic. We have a good set policy and primary and secondary roads are our priority.”
