I HAVE lived in Little Lever for 12 years so on seeing Monday night’s weather forecast for ice and snow, I went to bed fully expecting not to be able to get out of the village this morning.
I wasn’t disappointed — but I am alternating between despair and fury that, time and time again, predicted and minor spells of bad weather bring access to the village to a resounding halt. On Tuesday, I had to cancel all my morning visits to clients (I work for the Guide Dogs) after failing to get beyond the end of Melrose Road because of the lack of attention to Hall Lane, Radcliffe Road and Lever Street. My neighbours have had similar problems and were unable to get to work at Asda, Burnden Park or Radcliffe.
And because of the gridlock on the main roads, our estate became a cut through for frustrated drivers under pressure to get to work on time.
One lost control on the corner in Holcombe Road and span their car very nearly 180 degrees, narrowly missing my neighbour’s parked car, another neighbour who was reversing into his drive after he had given up trying to get to work, and my garden wall and, most worrying, pedestrians walking to school.
Thankfully no one was hurt, as there was no possibility of emergency vehicles getting through.
It is not good enough that in the 21st Century, with the technology available and the levels of motoring and council taxation we all pay, that a simple cold snap causes such chaos.
It wasn’t even a substantial snow fall.
The need for proper gritting and ploughing was completely predictable from the weather forecasts and vulnerable areas such as the ones I have mentioned should have been high on the list for treatment. Why was this not done? The competence of those managing the highways provision surely must be brought into question? Please enquire urgently why Bolton Council is so inept at responding to such minor wintry conditions and ask it to ensure that proper contingency planning is in place before we have some truly wintry weather.
Mike Tyerman, Holcombe Road, Little Lever
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