Cold snap grips area

Published 6 Jan 2010 12:47 8 Comments

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The view from the top

By Jennifer Black

RENFREWSHIRE is still shivering after two weeks of sub-zero temperatures.

And with the thermometer predicted to stay below freezing for the rest of the week, it looks like the winter weather is set to continue.

Wide-spread ice is causing havoc across the area, with pavements becoming dangerous and people refusing to venture outdoors.

Grit levels across the area are also worrying low.

More snow fall on Monday night meant more disruption for drivers and commuters.

Roads were driveable, but motorists had to be extra vigilant as the snow covered the ice making streets dangerously slippy.

And on the trains, passengers faced delays and cancellations as a broken down train and points failures caused major problems.

Drivers and residents have been advised that the continuing freezing weather is forcing Renfrewshire Council to prioritise its gritting routes.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board said: "The move has been prompted by the severity and duration of the freezing weather.

"The fact that there appears to be little prospect of an imminent let up in the freezing conditions means that we have to concentrate on main routes for the time being.

"We will not be in a position to salt minor roads or fill grit bins.

"The council is keeping the situation under constant review and we think it important to let people know the latest position.

"I'd urge drivers and pedestrians to take extra care as long as this situation continues."

However the Scottish Government has tried to reassure people that there is plenty of salt available.

There has also been reports that the cold temperatures are freezing pipes leaving homes without water.

Johnstone resident, George Kennedy, told the Gazette how he went for four days without water as the pipes in his street froze over.

He said: "The street has not been treated since way before Christmas but we have managed to keep the street open because we have a grit bin.

"We went without water for four days because the snow had thawed then froze solid - all because the road wasn't gritted."

George was forced to break through inches of ice in the street to try and get the water supply flowing again.

He believes that Renfrewshire Council was not ready for the weather.

George added: "I don't think enough has been done, I feel very let down."

This article appeared in The Gazette 06 Jan 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

LisaM
Unregistered User
Jan 12, 09:54
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My street was horrific - it wasn't touched for two weeks and I go barely walk on it never been drive! Renfrewshire Council should have been more prepared for this and focused on side roads as well as main routes.

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MBrown
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Jan 12, 09:58
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My 80 year old granny was left housebound over new year because she couldnt leave her house in fear that she would fall over and break a hip. Shes terrified. The council need to release that everyone doesnt live on a main road and side streets are just as important to grit.

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******
Jan 12, 10:01
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Steven Clark
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Jan 12, 10:03
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Renfrewshire Council are a joke. Sure they are all quick to act but only after it gets really bad! thats why we have weather predicitions to give us warning about these kinds of things! its not good enough to saw we dont have the resources to fill grit bins - they should have!

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Elizabeth Morrison
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Jan 12, 10:06
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Although the side roads were pretty terrible I think on the whole Renfrewshire Council did a good job. They put their hands up and said they were having grit issues but seem to have had plans in place to source more etc. And i think all the main routes were gritted pretty well considering the weather conditions. Good job to all the hard working employees who kept the roads clear.

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Mr J Reid
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Jan 12, 10:07
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I agree with George the council were not ready. because if they were then we wouldnt have people stuck in houses and sliding about the streets. my friend fell on ice and broke his arm all because the pavements hadnt been treated. the council need to learn from this cold weather - BE MORE PREPARED!

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Emma
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Jan 12, 10:11
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I think were pretty lucky considering what is happening down south - sure the council werent ready and ran out of grit but i still managed to get to my work. im pleaesd that i drive as scotrail was in a mess cancelling trains and closing stations. a little bit of bad weather and the system fails.

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gordon m
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Jan 15, 07:34
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There seemed to be no plan for gritting at all. Our road was never touched, by the way I have never known it to be gritted in the 17 years I have lived there, but then other minor roads in Renfrewshire were gritted, perhaps councilors stayed there. Then to cap it all they came and put ash down on the pavements on the 12th January when it was all thawing. Renfrewshire Council are a complete joke!!!

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Renfrew Cross
Unregistered User
Jan 16, 03:42
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A solution for the council this would be to buy twice as much rocksalt in the summer months at cheaper prices and store it until its needed in the winter times. And why is it always Renfrewshire Council who are always the first to claim they're running low on supplies? They havent got the vast areas to cover like Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council or even the vast roads networks of Glasgow and Edinburgh City Councils, so why are they always first to run short?

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