Denbighshire hit by black ice casualties

Jan 7 2009 by Justine Bailey, Denbigh Visitor

THE extremely icy weather this week caused a number of accidents throughout Denbighshire prompting an MP to call on the county council to do more to make the area safe.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring all principal roads are gritted in such situations, but Chris Ruane this week wrote to Denbighshire’s leader, Hugh Evans, asking for the measures to be extended to other areas after receiving calls and e-mails from people who have had accidents on the ice.

Ysbyty Glan Clwyd had 90 cases in A&E between 8am and noon on Monday, when the average in a 24-hour period is usually 130.

“I have received first hand and second hand reports of numerous accidents involving black ice on roads and pavements,” said Mr Ruane. “These include a bus driver taken to Accident and Emergency after slipping on ice and a bus colliding into a lamppost in Denbigh, and a car crashing in Ffynnongroew Road, Rhyl.

“I took my 10-year-old daughter to school by car this morning (Monday) and had to walk her the 100 metres to the gate, holding on to a stone wall.

“I understand that the Council’s policy, under normal circumstances, is only to grit major roads. The current circumstances are exceptional. The black ice was predicted by the Met Office on Sunday and I feel that Denbighshire County Council’s policy on gritting needs to be reviewed to cover exceptional conditions of widespread black ice.”

Mr Ruane recommends bus routes, entrances to schools, hospitals, clinics, large employers, shopping centres, car parks and parades of shops, and any areas with a high pedestrian usage should be gritted.

“I realise that there will be budgetary implications, but there will also be budgetary implications for the police, the fire and health service, not to mention the pain, distress and possibility of death for individuals and their families, if immediate action isn’t taken,” he added.

Mayor of Denbigh Cllr Ian Davies also believes the local authority should be doing more.

“Waking up to seasonal weather is quite common this winter but in 21st century Denbighshire one does not expect pavements and car parks like glass with people falling over after a complete lack of gritting.”

The Council has established a priority order for the clearance of ice and snow:

1. Main classified routes (A&B roads)

2. Access roads to hospital and emergency service station

3. The remainder of the precautionary salting network

Other routes known as urgent medical and important industrial routes

4. Access to public facilities – cemeteries, schools etc.

5. Other Class II and III roads providing access to communities

6. Remaining bus and milk collection routes

7. Other urban roads

8. Other rural roads

9. Roads serving isolated dwellings

10. Other roads

Iwan Prys-Jones, Corporate Director of Environment, stressed the weather conditions that caused the ice were exceptional, adding: “The gritters have been out throughout the Christmas and New Year period in line with published gritting schedules which are available on the Council’s website and have continued working throughout the day today (Monday).

“In addition to this, Denbighshire has been hand salting town centres and residential areas and will continue to do as much as possible to keep all roads and pathways clear in light of these exceptional circumstances.”