Gazette News
Council shows its true grit
11:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
FOLLOWING a number of snow flurries in recent weeks, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller said extra grit bins put in place by Hampshire County Council have enabled more residents to keep moving.
County bosses trebled the number of grit bins in Basingstoke and Deane to 640, with salt levels also having been bolstered to allow 15 days of resilience without the need to restock – more than double Government recommendations. This came in response to severe weather during the winter of 2009-10, when traffic misery was brought upon the borough by heavy snowfalls and persisting low temperatures.
Mrs Miller said: “I was very pleased to hear about the steps the county council has taken to enable more residents in Basingstoke to keep their local roads and pavements clear during severe weather.
“It is, of course, for the county council to keep the priority roads clear, but I know that many residents and shopkeepers also want to help clear their own neighbourhoods, and these additional grit bins will enable them to do so.”