Safety concerns over icy pavements in Conwy Valley

Dec 16 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Ice in Llanrwst

AS cold and wintry weather is set to return councillors in one Conwy Valley town fear pavements will be turned into an icy death trap.

Local councillors in Llanrwst are complaining that pavements are left untreated by Conwy County Council’s highway gritters, turning the pedestrian walkways into ice-rinks.

Town mayor Cllr Christine Humphreys said she had heard there had been a number of falls and incidents due to the icy conditions.

She said: “I have been told that a number of residents have fallen and even broken bones while walking on the pavements because they have been left untreated.

“They are like ice-rinks to walk on, some people manage to walk in the road where safe but for others it has become a dangerous struggle to just get about day-by-day.

“It seems the highway departments are just gritting the main roads, which I understand is their priority as salt stocks are low, but it has left most of the pavements and the housing estates covered in thick compact ice here.”

She added: “I would like to know if Conwy intend to grit our pavements like it seems they have done in Betws-y-Coed? It’s a matter of health and safety now.”

Last week Jim Boughton, chair of Betws-y-Coed community council praised the highways department for gritting some of their side roads and pavements. He said: “Our main roads remain open and even some of our side roads and pavements have been treated.”

Active Llanrwst council member Edgar Parry added that he was angered that well-used public places were ungritted.

“Both myself and Cllr Humphries have complained about Hafan Gwydir needing gritting, it’s for elderly people, you would have though it would have been a priority,” he added.

“I have also received several complaints about Summerfield car park being like an ice-rink, but I’m not sure if it is down to the supermarket or highways to clear that.”

A Council spokesperson outlined that during times of extreme weather their primary aim is to keep the main road network active and keep fuel and supplies arriving where they are needed.

“Priority is given to keeping the main network open.”

They added: “When resources allow, secondary routes are treated with a mixture of chippings and salt to aid traction.”

Conwy's winter maintenance teams treat primary routes and respond to requests from Emergency Services, Social Services and Animal Health – in relation to serious animal welfare matters.