Council facing questions

That's the view of Alderman Stephen Moutray who said he was disappointed by the lack of action from the council.

He said: "Following the exceptionally long and severe cold spell, I am disappointed as to the lack of action from Craigavon Borough Council in relation to the gritting of Lurgan town centre footpaths.

"Whilst I am aware that Craigavon Borough Council does not have a legal obligation in gritting town centre footpaths, I believe that this occasion was exceptional, and when council was unable to provide other services such as street cleansing that staff should have been deployed to assist in gritting."

He went on: "I believe both council and Roads Service should have been much more proactive in gritting town centre car parks and footpaths as was the case in other towns such as Limavady and Magherafelt.

“I am aware of several people who fell and sustained injury in the past number of weeks and were hospitalised as a result.

"Statutory bodies must react to the need of the population and not hide behind legal advice in future. It is my intention to raise this very important issue with both council officers and the Roads Service."