Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Gail Coleshill has welcomed a move by B&NES Council to carry out a full review of winter maintenance and gritting arrangements in the authority.

Earlier in the year, the UK was hit for the second time in 12 months with heavy snow and severe ice, leaving many people who live in rural areas stranded.

Gail, who was contacted by people all over the constituency asking for help, said:

“In January, people living in rural North East Somerset were left stranded due to heavy snowfall which grinded much of the UK to a halt.

Residents in Shoscombe, Chew Magna and Midsomer Norton contacted me to say that the Council hadn’t been to grit their roads and as a result couldn’t go to work or do much else.

Unfortunately, under current B&NES Council guidelines only certain roads and routes are considered a priority.”

Gail Coleshill would like to see all routes prioritised, irrespective of services or amenities in the area. 

Cllr Sarah Bevan, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Peasedown St John, whose ward covers the village of Carlingcott, added:

“Residents in Carlingcott felt let down by the Council in January when they were told that they weren’t a priority.

There are five main access routes to Carlingcott. All of them involve the use of a steep hill. “

Recently, following calls from the Liberal Democrats, the Council has agreed to carry out a full review of winter maintenance – which will begin in June.

Gail added:

“This review is to be welcomed. We really do need a quicker, more proactive way of treating all roads quickly and providing grit bins in the places that need them most.”