Three weeks ago the snow came to Darlington and it did not stop for a week.

Streetscene did a fantastic job clearing the main roads and the bus routes, we know this because we live on a main road and frequently saw the gritters whizzing past. They should be commended for a job well done.

However, the problem lies with the roads that are not on a main route. The Council has a statutory duty to maintain clear access to the main routes and they have done this well, However, this is not much use to people if they are unable to get their car out of their estate/street. This is the situation that many people have found themselves in our ward and no doubt across the town.

The other serious problem has been the dangerous condition of the pavements with several inches of thick, compacted, slippery ice. We have personally witnessed two of our elderly residents fall as they were trying to access the pavement from the road. The ice was so thick and slippery that they fell back onto the road, one case in front a car travelling along the road.

There is a solution to the problem.

The Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond proposes that members of the public should have access to salt and grit supplies in order to assist in clearing Highways during periods of severe weather.

He has declared roads and pavements not treated by councils could be handled by individuals.
Philip Hammond believes such measures could reduce travel problems by making movement easier for people and their neighbours.

In fact, this echoes exactly what people who have contacted us have asked for, they understand that the Council can not clear every road in the Borough, logistically impossible. But they would be more than willing to clear the snow themselves and help elderly neighbours where needed if the Council provide the grit.

This is direction from the Government but the Council take it up?