Ravenscraig councillor Gary O'Rorke gets grit bins for street near Wishaw General

Dec 19 2012 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig Councillor Gary O'Rorke at new grit bin near Berryhill Crescent in Wishaw

A street near Wishaw General has been given grit boxes to tackle the winter after years of complaints.

Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor Gary O’Rorke swung into action after a resident told him she lost control of her car on an icy road at Berryhill Crescent.

Other elected members have hit out in recent weeks about gritting but on this occasion there was nothing but praise for the council.

Councillor O’Rorke said: “With the start of the freezing temperatures of this winter already upon us, I have been contacted by many people in the area regarding their concerns about gritting provision on our roads and pavements.

“One such enquiry just last week that really emphasised the potential problems at this time of year was in the housing estate in the Berryhill Crescent area.

“I was informed by a resident of South Line View on this estate that she had lost control of her car when going to her work early in the morning, due to ice on the road, and had been involved in an accident.

“She told me that her car continued to career across the road as she attempted to brake to stop at a T junction and had continued to slide across the road and rammed into the kerb on the other side, causing her tyre to burst on impact.

“By sheer luck she was not hurt and fortunately no other people or cars were passing by this junction at this time, otherwise the outcome could have been far graver.

“When I spoke to her and her partner regarding this she explained that she and other residents of the area had previously made enquiries going back seven years to the council about getting a grit bin allocated to their estate.

“They informed me that they and many other residents would happily spread grit on their parts of the street should a sudden frost or ice descend overnight. This grit box facility, however, had not been implemented. On being informed of this I have taken up their cause in getting a grit bin. I have spoken to senior officers and management at both North Lanarkshire Roads and Amey.

“I explained fully to them the situation in this whole area and the potential consequences of another winter without a grit bin in this location.

“To their credit they have accepted the request that I have made on behalf or the residents and within one week of me making this request not only one grit bin but two were installed for the use of the residents of this area if and when required.

“Certainly on this occasion I have to thank the North Lanarkshire officers and management involved for their swift consideration and positive action with this matter.”