Progress – Increase to winter gritting announced.

Last week I was frustrated by Matthew Golby’s statement (see last update). I was perhaps naïve and crass but hoped that the emotive comments and signatures would mean some action. I investigated opportunities to present our petition at a full council meeting. I was advised that this was not possible until March – by then too late, we would be looking at daffodils and not worrying about treacherous ice.

 

Instead I managed to get the petition shared electronically with every Northamptonshire County Council member, this message included passionate comments from signatories, really read these comments they are cracking. I was pleased that some Councillors engaged and supported the issue to reinstate the gritting service. I was also looked into the opportunity to meet with council commissioners.

 

Today Northamptonshire County Council announced an increase to our winter gritting service. Matthew Golby has provided the following press release:

 

INCREASE IN WINTER GRITTING ANNOUNCED

Winter gritting services across Northamptonshire are to be increased by Northamptonshire County Council it has been announced today.

 

The changes will be introduced in the current financial year and will see the introduction of a new intermediate gritting network.

 

These new intermediate routes will be treated after the precautionary routes have been completed. The amendments are being prioritised so they will be effective as soon as possible.

 

The changes have been made possible by the continued strengthening of spending controls and financial assistance from Northampton Borough Council.

 

Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Environment Cllr Ian Morris said: “The gritting team do a tremendous job keeping the county moving during the winter, with 24-hour monitoring between the months of October and April.

 

“We have listened closely to the feedback we have received and I am delighted that we are able to act on it. Our increasingly stabilised financial position alongside the invaluable assistance of our partner Northampton Borough Council means we are able to put extra money into the service to make improvements.”

 

The county council would advise motorists to never assume that a road has been treated and should drive in accordance with the conditions.

ENDS

 

This press release represents action, some positive steps to improve safety and undo the brutal, risky decision to reduce the service.

 

I will be interested to see what plans are made for the next winter season 2019 / 2020. Winter is not a surprise and comes every year, there is a legal obligation to make the roads safe. I have just seen a tweet from Andrew Gwynne MP (@GwynneMP) “Shameful: despite their own MPs bellyaching about local government settlement in the debate the Tories tonight approved a further £1.3bn CUT to councils, shifting more funds from poorer to affluent areas and inflation-busting council tax rise for 2019/20”.

 

For the record this petition has always been apolitical. I do find myself annoyed that many local Conservative party members are spinning the changes to the service as something they instigated and / or are delighted to be a part of this change. If they did instigate change, I missed it. If you see any local Conservative councillors spinning their message, please remember they voted to ignore the Scrutiny Committee warnings and blithely continue with cutting a potentially lifesaving service.

 

In my opinion the council are clearing up the mess they made and righting a wrong. I would like to think that the administration has realised that the cost saving of £475,000 on grit is not worth the risk to life and limb. We should not have to start, sign or comment on petitions to ensure we are safe.

 

Thank you for all the support, messages and signatures. Everybody who has participated in this petition should be chuffed with themselves today, I think we made a change happen. I will keep you updated with any further developments

All the best

Joanne