No grit for Saddleworth

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North Garth Harkness has hit out at the council for their plan to remove some of some of the grit bins in Saddleworth. It will put the public at risk, he says.

Councillor Garth Harkness said: “Saddleworth residents rely on grit bins during the winter months and this plan disproportionately affects our villages. I am not sure council leaders who live in other areas understand how difficult it can be to get to work on a snowy winter morning.”

The council plans to remove several grit bins in Delph, two in Diggle and one in Denshaw. It claims that some are on gritting routes and others are not used enough. 

Councillor Garth Harkness said “They use figures for a mild winter, which is not appropriate. Many residents in Saddleworth need to dig themselves out and they really need more grit bins to service housing areas, not fewer. People have to get to the primary gritting routes to use them. 

“This is Oldham Council’s cynical attempt to blame local councillors for Labour cuts by demanding they pay for bins they say are essential.” 

Councillor Garth Harkness added: “They are trying to put more and more things onto local councillors. We have very little funding and it is for things like community projects that matter to residents.”

“I of course am opposing these cuts,” said Councillor Harkness. “Road safety is not an optional add-on.”