WRITE in reply to a letter in our columns by Tony Jones, OAP, asking me to explain why The Triangle, Cinderford, was closed on the Thursday and Wednesday morning.

If Mr Jones had listened to the television interview he would have realised that this was just what we were expecting to happen, because of the Conservative cabinet at Shire Hall cutting back some two years ago.

Unlike other councils, they now have a policy that they no longer salt pavements in town centres in Gloucestershire. This may also explain an answer to another letter, 'Tale of two towns.'

Nowadays they salt priority routes. In Cinderford this means the A4151 Elton to Dunks Corner; Valley Road, that is Cinderford Bridge to Boey's Pike, and St White's Road. They also salt routes to hospitals, which should answer your question about Hilldene Estate with a hospital in the middle (Colliers Court).

When weather and time permits they also salt other priority areas, such as our Triangle. This is done after priority food routes have been opened, and to my knowledge this has not been any different to when my late father worked for the Highways many years ago.

It may also interest Mr Jones that hundreds of phone calls were logged at Cannop along with a great many e-mails from councillors like myself. To think just one phone call got the job done is a bit naive to say the least – just like Audey Murphy winning the Second World War single-handed!

With regard to salt bins being empty.

Yes, they were empty all over Cinderford and in some cases they were emptied by people as fast as they were being filled – in some cases for use on private drives.

There were even reports of people taking salt to sell, and so much so the county even put out a press release.

Was I happy with this situation? No I was not! And I will be taking up the issue of non-gritting of pavements in town centres at the County Adverse Weather Panel meeting on February 23 at Shire Hall.

I suggest that Mr Jones should take up the issue of no salting of pavements with his MP Mark Harper. He may have more sway with the county Conservative cabinet than I have. He could also talk to Cinderford's elected snow warden (which, by the way, is not me). Of course, if indeed Mr Jones' phone call was that good, all I can say, Tony, is when it snows phone again and save the rest of us the trouble!

Graham Morgan, Cinderford.