Lack of grit bins leaves Bonnybridge OAPs 'prisoners in their own homes' claim

Anne Whyte, who lives on Bonnywood Avenue, says that in the recent freeze pavements became so treacherous it was impossible to reach the grit bin at the bottom of the street.

She said: "I live on a very steep hill which, during the last few days, has been a nightmare to access.

"The pavements are so bad that I have been a prisoner in my own home - as have my elderly neighbours who are in their eighties.

"If there is really bad weather on our hill it's quite worrying because a lot of cars skid here.

"Just a few days ago a neighbour's car was damaged when a car skidded into it.

"Two people also fell - you would think that during this terrible time when the hospitals are busy enough the council would be trying to keep people safe!"

When Mrs Whyte complained Falkirk Council she says that she was told that grit bins are accessible and people should be gritting their own streets.

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She said: "The bin on our street is at the bottom of the street. Are we supposed to slide down to reach it?

"I really think it's a disgrace."

Her husband Alistair is also concerned that the bin is almost hidden by bushes.

When he finally got to it, he found it contained rubbish, including bags of dog poo.

After complaining to Falkirk Council several times, the street was eventually gritted.

The council said its teams have been working around the clock to keep main roads clear and that the area has 1200 grit bins, which compares well to other local authorities.

A spokesperson said: “There have been some really difficult circumstances recently with the weather that has led to wide scale freezing across the country.

"Our biggest issue has been keeping high priority routes open and our teams have been working around the clock to do this in sometimes very challenging conditions.

"We have around 1200 grit bins located throughout our communities and we aim to keep these topped up as often as possible."

www.falkirk.gov.uk/gritting

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