Council cuts number of roads to be gritted across Kirklees

Jan 12 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Council cuts number of roads to be gritted across Kirklees

COUNCIL gritting crews have had to slash the number of roads they can try and keep clear.

It’s a bid by Kirklees Council to eke out dwindling supplies of grit but will mean many roads will be left untreated – including some bus routes.

It is the first time that the council has had to abandon its promise to grit all priority routes, which often link whole communities.

The move was introduced last night by the council after more than two weeks of dreadful winter weather.

A spokesman said reducing the number of roads treated will allow the council to keep its strategic road network moving until more grit supplies become available.

Once more grit has been delivered, the council will be able to get back into the priority network.

Roads that will continue to be treated are major routes, mainly A roads and some B roads. They include links to major bus stations, hospitals, fire stations and major ambulance stations.

The spokesman said the council will also try to make sure that all high schools and their bus routes are included to allow access for exams this week.

Some bus routes on residential streets which are not on the strategic network will not be covered.

The council is working closely with METRO to try to make sure that bus services continue to serve as many people as possible.

For information about affected bus services, contact MetroLine travel information on: 0113 245 7676 (7am to 10pm, seven days a week).