A resident from Bradshaw has raised concerns after she says back streets were not gritted over the weekend, which left several cars sliding into each other.
Janet Taylor, said that cars were sliding into each other, and that there were no salt or grit boxes on the streets.
She says that as many as six people were out on Beryl Street, Astley Bridge, and surrounding streets helping to push cars, with some chipping ice away with spades.
Janet was dropping her grandson off at Back Sherwood Street in Astley Bridge at the time.
Janet said: “There was a resident who was helping all the cars to get out.
“He’s been amazing.
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“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
She has now questioned whether the grit boxes should be put back, and what will be done next time a cold snap is experienced that has seen temperatures drop to -5°.
Janet said: “If there is a weather forecast that we know is going to be minus in temperature, it’s not good enough to just grit the main roads.
“When it hits freezing residents need to be able to either grit themselves, or have the roads gritted.”
She also said that it was difficult to get hold of salt and grit at the time.
Janet added: “Six cars crashed before I got there, and another two did whilst I was there.
“They were minor, but there were so many in just a few hours.”
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Our gritting teams are on standby 24 hours a day and the service has performed well despite challenging weather conditions in recent weeks.
“Bolton Council grits 317 miles of main traffic routes but unfortunately it is not possible to cover every road in the borough.
“Due to their size, gritting vehicles are not able to access smaller side or back streets.
“The gritting route, and the location of grit bins that are available on the public highway, can be viewed on the council website.
“Residents can also sign up for gritting alerts and we always urge drivers to be aware of conditions and plan accordingly.”
Ward Cllr Hilary Fairclough explained that part of the issue with gritting bins was due to a policy that Bolton has in place where the amount they have is not increased.
She says that she is aware of how “challenging it has been for residents” and that herself and the council will be looking at whether changes can be made to the policy, although this can’t be guaranteed.
Cllr Fairclough said: “We are aware that this year has been particularly challenging for residents, and we will be looking at it to see if any changes can be made.
“I am not unsympathetic and it’s not that we don’t understand these things and know how worrying it is with people trying to get to work.
"The back streets are never gritted."
She also said that it comes down to an issue with funding, where the majority of money is spent on adult services, helping the vulnerable, and children services.
Cllr Fairclough added: “If by any chance the Government give us more money these are areas we want to support.
“It isn’t that we don’t want to do it.
“It’s down to what money we have available.
“Given that the vast majority of council money goes on adult services, vulnerable people, and children services, it leaves approximately a third for all the other services, which goes on roads, pavements, bins, lighting enforcement, housing and trading standards etc.
“But it is also the responsibility of residents to also make it safe.”
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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