IN the recent spell of bad weather a great many people in and around Cinderford slipped on the ice. Some sustained broken limbs and in some cases with elderly people, severe injury.
When I made enquiries I found that the Conservative administration at Shire Hall have, since coming to office, changed the winter salting policy. In the past town centres like Cinderford were always (eventually) salted and made safe for people to walk. Now they are no longer salted.
Shire Hall claim they told parish and town councils of this change, but being a town councillor myself I do not remember any such consultation. I slipped down and cracked two ribs. I wonder if Tories will compensate me for my loss of earnings?
I fully appreciate that priority routes have to be kept open to towns and villages for food distribution etc, hospital routes have to be kept open, but the next priority should be pavements in town and village centres. How can elderly people walk to obtain this food with pavements covered with ice?
No-one likes paying high council tax but let's be fair, the Tories boast about their £40 million worth of cuts at Shire Hall, they boast about the lowest council tax in England, yet in some cases these cuts come at a very high price with increased hospital bills and time off work. I ask the question – where are the savings? It has cost me considerably more. – Max Coborn, mayor of Cinderford (now off work!)