Somerset Tories slip up over Gritting County's Icy Roads - "Get a Grip" say Lib Dems

2.44.56pm GMT Mon 1st Feb 2010

During the recent cold spell, it was clear that Tory-led Somerset County Council was letting people down across the county as many roads went untreated.

Liberal Democrat Opposition Group Leader Cllr. Jill Shortland said:

"During the snowy weather, it became apparent that the Conservatives, who've been in charge at County Hall since last June, had seriously restricted the use of grit. As a consequence, many roads across the county didn't see a gritter for weeks at a time, if at all.

"Despite this, the Tories recently made much of their claim that they had gritted the equivalent of twice around the Earth during the three-week cold spell. It's worth pointing out that in a milder winter last February, the previous Lib Dem administration gritted a total road length equivalent to three and a half times the circumference of the Earth.

"It has also recently come to light that they even cancelled the purchase of another gritting lorry, which would have been invaluable during this recent cold spell."

Cllr. Shortland added..

"Once again, I can only ask the public was it worth voting Tory to get the 0% increase in council tax, if these are the consequences? We will all have to get used to these and more swingeing cuts in services over the next few years."

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