Most of the councils responsible for lack of gritting of suburban streets, rural roads and pavements

10.01.10

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, the union which represents the salt miners in Cheshire and tens of thousands of workers involved in gritting the UK’s roads said, "Suburban streets, rural roads and pavements in town centres have not seen a shovel of grit since the big freeze began.

This is a total disgrace. The public need to face up to the fact that in public services, you only get what you pay for.

Most of the councils responsible for this lack of gritting of suburban streets, rural roads and pavements in town centres are Tory-run. There was never enough salt stockpiled in the first place and they will not pay workers to go out to grit the roads and pavements. Orders were not placed with the salt mines and councils do not have enough facilities to store the mined salt. GMB salt miners working flat out are angry at this lack of proper planning.

This lack of service, which the public is entitled to, is indicative of the type of public services we will have if the Conservatives win the general election."