REACTION: Residents respond to a lack of gritting in Inverness
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There was a strong reaction after the Inverness Courier highlighted the issue that streets in the Highland capital had not been gritted to clear the snow.
Even three days after the heavy snowfall on Monday evening and priority routes have been gritted but many residential areas were left untouched.
Residents reacted to a post on Facebook which stated that, while the snow had lain for several days, many streets were still yet to see a sign of any gritters and they were critical of Highland Council.
Rachael Carswell, from Inverness, said: "Tower Hill in Westhill is always a nightmare when it snows."
Brian Macpherson, also from Inverness, added: "They coped better years ago when the winters were colder. Now generally when winters are warmer when we do get a cold spell they don't have the staff/resources to cope."
Angela Gibbs said: "Hilton is a nightmare. You take your life in your hands walking along the pavements.
"I had a hip replacement last year. Who is accountable if I slip? This time of year you can’t continuously be housebound."
Lucy Simpson said: "Farr is atrocious and Raigmore estate hasn’t seen a gritter yet either."
However Michael Kirkland said: "To be fair all the gritters are out keeping main roads, bus routes and school routes open. The guys can only do so much."
Claire McKendrick added: "Westhill is a nightmare and it has not seen any gritter."
The council’s economy and infrastructure committee chairman Ken Gowans described weather conditions as very challenging across the region due to elevation, terrain and geography.
“Gritting is a dangerous and very stressful job,” he said. “The team gets up way before most of us do to make it to the depot and manoeuvring a 20-ton vehicle on untreated roads is both scary and demanding.
“With the added pressure of communities all looking for a gritter at the same time makes it tougher, but our crews are dedicated and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.
“I have been very grateful for the praise, patience and support the winter maintenance team have had across social media, for what is all too often a thankless task.
“Sadly, there is a small vocal minority of the public who think it is acceptable to make negative comments about gritting performance about the same crews they are looking to for help.”
Councillor Gowans said there were grit bins located around the area which were replenished on a regular basis – even in times of high demand.
He added: “Some have been emptied several times a day. However, people can help by gritting their own street or just by giving a friendly wave or a toot to the gritter crews, it can give them a real boost.
“Gritters will get to every road in due course.
“In lower temperatures the salt will be much less effective and roads can quickly become covered again. I would ask everyone to consider if their journey is necessary and to make sure they have appropriate tyres with good depth of tread to tackle the icy conditions.”
