Thanks to Donald L for this picture of skier on the Newton Footpath, handy equipment for those parts the grit can't reach yet. Remember Highland Council can't be blamed for everything and we have debated here how much responsibility we should take ourselves for clearing snow but it cannot be denied that they have cut back on gritting this year. They might have saved a few pounds for themselves but just how much do communities gain from this? Here's some information from the Press & Journal today:
'Up to 100 patients a day, many with fractures, were also seen at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The sheer number of people who needed treatment for injuries has been blamed on councils not gritting paths and pavements during the cold spell.'
Read the full article here: Hundreds feel effects of iced-up pavements.
The P&J also attacks councils in the North and suggests that they may lose money anyway as injured parties consider legal action: Cutbacks may cost councils dear.
'LOCAL authorities may rue the day that they decided to let council tax payers largely fend for themselves in one of the longest periods of cold weather in recent memory.'
