Cold comfort... It’s snow fun, but grit’s running low - Westminster struggles to cope with big freeze
PROP forwards whimpered in changing rooms, joggers stripped down for the treadmill and even the new craze for men’s tights couldn’t persuade footballers to venture outdoors.
But Wednesday’s snow dump didn’t completely wreck the sporting calendar. University College London’s frisbee team – a sport, if you can call it a sport, not exactly renowned for its players’ knock-kneed hardiness – were out practising on the white blankets of Regent’s Park.
But it was no fun in parts of Westminster that struggled to cope with the big freeze.
City Hall has warned it only has enough grit for four more days of arctic conditions, and have called on the government to bolster stocks. It said some roads and pavements may not be gritted, despite ordering in an extra 200 tonnes of salt, because of the national rationing system limiting how much local authorities can be given.
So far the council gritters have seen off the worst of the freeze, with Wednesday claiming just a few victims as one primary school and a handful of parks were closed.
But council leader Colin Barrow has warned that central London’s economy could grind to a halt if the situation doesn’t change.
“We always aim to grit all our roads and pavements, but we do need the supplies of salt to enable this and currently our hands our tied,” he said. “I therefore call on everyone to pull together with the council and other agencies to help people who are vulnerable in the cold weather. This includes checking in on that elderly or disabled neighbour and, if appropriate, breaking up any compacted ice and snow which may be making an area hazardous.”
He added: “Despite the restrictions on supplies we will aim to carry on gritting pavements in major business and visitor areas of central London as our stocks allow, but we do urge the government to take into account central London’s unique and vitally important position when allocating grit. It is essential that Westminster and the heart of our capital city is able to function regardless of the weather.”
This week gritters were spreading just a quarter of the amount of salt, 50 tonnes a day, compared with last week. While the council blames central government, opposition leaders in City Hall also have a gritting gripe. They claim the poorer north of the borough has missed out.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour Group, said: “The pavements in many parts of north Westminster are absolutely atrocious. No attempt has been made to grit any pavements, even those near schools.
“The pavements outside Edward Wilson School were thick with ice. The council has clearly failed in its duty to safeguard local residents’ safety and residents want to know why and who is to blame.”
JAMIE WELHAM