£1m bill for snow
Published: 5 February 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB
THE true cost of the snowy weather to Islington was revealed this week as it was announced that road repairs, lost parking revenue and extra grit will cost taxpayers £1million.
The bill is a direct result of the cold snap, which decimated salt stocks, erupted roads into pot-holes and lost the borough an estimated £400,000 in parking enforcement revenue as motorists stayed at home.
£100,000 was spent on grit and another £500,000 pounds will need to be spent on road repairs. There are now more than 1,500 temporary patches on the streets and the cost includes more permanent repairs.
The figures were revealed on Tuesday in a report presented to the overview committee meeting at Islington Town Hall. The snow also had knock-on effects to sports pitches and parks, which had reduced bookings.