Labour leader calls for public enquiry into gritting

Date published: 05 January 2010

Labour leader Councillor Colin Lambert has called for the enquiry into "the disgraceful council response to the severe weather" to be held in public.

At the Heywood Township meeting held on Monday 4 January Councillor Lambert questioned the Impact Partnership Head of Highways, John Cheetham, extensively regarding why Rochdale Borough Council had "failed so miserably" to grit roads and pavements.

"Why was the decision taken not to grit all bus routes?

"Who took that decision and when?

Why have workers who have offered to clear pavements and grit them been told they could not do it?

Councillor Lambert added: "We have gardeners, street cleaners, bin collectors and many others who have been unable to do their jobs and who have offered to keep working and clear the snow and ice off our streets, so why was this refused.

"Is all the blame down to outside contractors or were they denied the resources to step up the level of gritting and clearance required.

"Who decided to ignore the daily severe weather warnings from the Met Office and so took a decision not to order and stockpile additional salt for gritting.

"If anyone in the council either management or elected member is so confident that the council did their best, then let them be confident to justify that in public.

"Not in a private report in 3 months time or behind closed doors next week."