Neighbours have won the fight for a grit bin outside their homes – after StokeonTrentLive raised their plight. They had labelled the lack of gritting on Axbridge Walk, in Smallthorne, as ‘pure disabled and elderly abuse’ after their path becomes inaccessible during snow and ice.
Residents managed to get the grit bin installed during the last bout of snow and ice.
Neighbour Julie Swinnerton, aged 61, said: “It was stopping me getting out. It was a nightmare here because it’s on a slope and I’m frightened of falling over. I have got a car but I never went out if it’s like this because it’s too risky. I see the snow and don’t go out.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has installed the grit bin.
Deputy council leader Amjid Wazir said: “We do appreciate and understand residents’ concerns but unfortunately we can’t grit all roads and pavements because of the time it would take and the cost involved. We grit on principal roads, classified roads, important access roads, and most bus routes. Our routes also cover critical areas such as those around hospitals, fire and police stations.”
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