Gritting still hot debate of freeze

A cabinet member has slammed a parish councillor who accused Oldham Council of failing to grit roads across the borough.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, fired his salvo at Saddleworth Parish Councillor Ken Hulme.

Councillor Hulme, a former member of the Labour Party, now stands as an independent on the parish council.

In a series of questions, he asked if Oldham Council would reinstate a grit depot in Saddleworth which was removed some years ago.

But in a robust response, Councillor Alcock said: “The current gritting policy is the one we inherited from the last Labour administration which was his party’s gritting policy.

“The decision to close the Delph depot was taken by Labour when they were in charge of the council.”

He went on: “Our gritting crews have worked 24-hour shifts throughout this freezing weather on some of the hilliest and highest roads in the country, including the notorious trans-Pennine routes.

“Since the snow started again on Friday, crews have used over 900 tonnes of gritting salt on keeping primary routes open. We have also had six JCB’s clearing snow from the A672, A635, and A62 also Buckstones Road which are now passable with care, Grains Bar, roads around Delph and Diggle, Stanedge Road and Huddersfield Road.”

He added: “The council has been refilling the 550 grit bins as quick as we can and will continue to do so. Last week, we received 950 tonnes of grit salt and another 2,000 tonnes is being delivered this week.”

Councillor Hulme said: “It is a shame Councillor Alcock has brought party politics into this debate.

“I am not a member of the Labour Party and, as a parish councillor, I am not involved in any party politics.

“All I want is a debate on these issues to see how it can be best taken forward and plan for the future.”

Councillor Alcock promised that the council would hold a review after the gritting season has ended.

“We will look at all ideas and best practice from other councils to make sure we are achieving the best for the residents of Oldham borough,” he said.

But he warned Oldhamers to brace themselves as snow could return tomorrow, with sub-zero temperatures and strong winds on Thursday which could cause drifting.

After visiting gritting teams, he said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped to keep Oldham’s roads clear through the worst snow storms the country has seen for over 20 years.”

Councillor Hulme said that in November, 2004, he attacked Oldham Council’s gritting policy which cut the clearing of many side roads and country lanes.