Cllr Malcolm Cowan distressed as Borough fail to act on snow - again

6.06.57pm GMT Sun 20th Dec 2009

The recent heavy snow has left pavements across Welwyn Hatfield in an icy and dangerous state - yet dozens of Serco staff employed by the borough council have been told not to empty bins, collect recycling or remove the leaf fall because of the bad weather.

Liberal Democrat county and borough councillor Malcolm Cowan has hit out at the lack of action to make pavements safer. Malcolm says 'Why are the council not using these people to clear the snow and ice from our pavements?

'I was a member of the county council scrutiny panel that looked into how all councils could all improve on last February's performance when snow made conditions so bad. I was told that the lessons had been learnt and everyone would step up to the plate.

'Yet a quick walk round WGC town centre showed how little had been done, except by the shopkeepers and the Howard Centre. The slopes and steps to the subway across Bridge Rd was treacherous; the market the council had themselves set up was surrounded by ice. This was the busiest shopping weekend in the year and the traders got little or no help.

'Instead, I am told the reason nothing has been done in WGC is that thy had not.been asked by the county council to join in and help - but why do they need an invitation to help make pavements safe for our residents? The borough council were quick to quote Heath and Safety when they wanted to chop down trees at Stanborough, but the very clear risk from ice is ignored.

Malcolm added 'I went to Peterborough on Saturday afternoon - not only had the council there cleared most of the town centre footpaths, they had cleared the town's football ground as well.

For further information, contact Malcolm Cowan on 01707-324723.