Pedestrian areas gritted

Council staff have been out in force in Rochdale town centre clearing snow and ice and gritting pavements.

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Council staff have been out in force in Rochdale town centre clearing snow and ice and gritting pavements.

Some residents are asking why all paths are not gritted when the council knows there is snow and ice forecast.

The Winter Service Policy adopted by the Council in September 2011 states that ‘owing to limited resources and available finance it essential that the provision of Winter Service reflects the importance of the highway network’.

This policy defines which footways in the borough will be treated and at what period after snow has fallen.

The priority one footways are within each of the town centres.

Pedestrian areas are be treated in exceptional weather conditions on a priority basis and subject to available resources within the council. Pedestrian areas will not be treated for normal overnight frosty conditions.

Priority 1 areas cover the highest footfall areas on public footways in town and district centres, principal shopping areas, and outside bus interchanges and train / tram stations.

Priority 2 areas cover the same type of areas as covered by Priority 1 but over a greater extent. Priority 2 areas will be treated when all Priority 1 areas have been treated.

Priority 3 areas cover the highest footfall areas on public footways outside secondary schools, further education centres (i.e. colleges), hospitals, medical centres and hospices. Priority 3 areas will be treated when all Priority 1 and 2 areas have been treated.