A CHILDMINDER says a lack of gritting on a town centre thoroughfare is putting elderly and vulnerable people at risk of serious injury.
Four people had to help Claire Dunnill, from Startforth, get up Castle Walk, in Barnard Castle, last Wednesday morning due to the icy path not being gritting that day.
She was taking children of key workers to school in the town and had a push chair with younger children with her.
She said: “It’s ridiculous. They say it’s not a main route for walking but a lot of elderly people use it, not just people like me with pushchairs. I’ve asked for an extra grit bin as I’m happy to bring a spade and do it but ‘no’. For a school run route for people from Startforth, it should be gritted first thing in the morning like the other paths. I shouldn’t have to drive to town.”
Jimmy Bennett, Durham County Council’s clean and green manager, said: “During severe winter weather we do our best to clear footpaths in busy pedestrian areas to ensure the safety of residents.
“Following our winter policy, all priority one routes must be cleared before we can treat any other footpaths.
“Priority one routes include areas such as town centres, shopping areas, public buildings, hospitals and GP surgeries.”
“Barnard Castle is a priority 1 route and includes Castle Walk, however, the path in question is treated towards the end of this route due to its location away from the town centre. Paths are cleared during normal working hours and our teams begin gritting from 8am where, for example, Castle Walk could be treated at around 9am.”
