Roadside boxes not replenished

PEOPLE'S lives have been put in danger because the Roads Service failed to replenish roadside yellow boxes with grit.

Assembly member George Savage said he was deeply concerned with the Roads Service's handling of ‘the big freeze’.

He said: "I would like to put on record my thanks and appreciation to Roads Service staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the past few weeks, at all hours of the day and night, to grit our local road network.

“I am deeply concerned that several decisions by the Roads Service may have put lives at risk in their failure to re-stock the yellow Boxes across the constituency.

"I have been inundated with complaints in respect of how the Roads Service has dealt with the cold weather with yellow boxes being left empty for weeks, despite many requests from residents."

He went on: "For Roads Service to politely say 'it’s on the list' does not amount to good customer service.

"Furthermore, parts of the constituency were not even gritted, especially in the rural area, which was hardest hit by the sharp freeze. People are paying their taxes and for what, they may rightly ask.”

He continued: "I would like to also make the practical and constructive recommendation that the Roads Service give due consideration to the further provision of the boxes, particularly outside places of regular public use such as GP surgeries, chemists and post offices, to enable responsible people to take the appropriate action.

"With this in mind I would encourage Roads Service to begin urgent discussions with councils to ensure that footpaths in town centres are appropriately dealt with."

It is understood that many of the yellow boxes have been emptied by individuals using the salt for their private needs, which has put a further strain on supplies of grit.

A spokeswoman for the Roads Service said: "Roads Service has been continuously refilling the yellow boxes in the Lurgan area. This will continue.

"Salt from the bins is meant to be used on public roads, however, it's understood much of the salt was being used at private properties."

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