Local MP Gordon Prentice is calling on the Conservative controlled Lancashire County council to explain what has gone wrong with the gritting operation in Pendle.

The MP said “Before Christmas Councillor Keith Young, LCC Cabinet member responsible for Highways, was saying how well prepared  the County was for the winter. Yet scarcely two weeks later we are told salt supplies are scarce and only main roads can be kept open. As a result my office has had an increasing number of emails and calls about secondary roads.”

“I understand 40 more grit bins were installed in the Borough following a review last year, but they aren’t much use if they can’t be filled. And a promise to spread salt  at a minimum of 40 grams per square metre has had to be scaled back.”

“Councillors all across the borough from Barnoldswick to Brierfield.have been crying out for action on the side streets in their wards, in particular near doctors’surgeries and old people’s homes.  But I note a deafening silence from Conservative County Councillors and parliamentary candidate Andrew Stephenson on the issue. It would be helpful to know what representations they have made to Cllr Young, whose pronouncements have bordered on the complacent.”

"Why on earth can't responsibility for gritting local roads be returned to Pendle Council? A lot of people would welcome such a move."