Liberal Democrats have called on Labour to rethink plans that would see two-thirds of salt bins in York lost and gritting routes across the city cut.

The decision to cut the winter maintenance service was taken by Labour’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services on Wednesday despite the opposition of local residents and concerns over the online only public consultation.

Lib Dem Councillors Ann Reid, Nigel Ayre and Keith Aspden have ‘called-in’ the decision for further review and the proposals are now set to be reconsidered at a special meeting of York’s Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee later this month.

Councillor Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services, commented:

“Labour’s cut to salt bins and gritting routes is yet another attack on basic frontline services in York. Two-thirds of bins will go and many local roads, including bus routes, will be taken off the primary gritting routes. This means they could go days without being treated even in severe weather conditions.

“Labour’s consultation on the changes was completely inadequate. It was only available online so many residents who don’t use the internet were excluded and a specific list of which roads will be removed from the primary list and which salt bins will go was not made available to the public.

“When Lib Dem councillors and campaigners have spoken to residents and explained the changes there has been huge concern, particularly on the impact the cuts will have on the elderly and vulnerable.”

Cllr Reid presented a petition signed by nearly 200 residents opposed to the changes in her Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward at last night’s Full Council. Lib Dems across York have launched similar petitions and their citywide SOS (Save Our Salt) petition can be found here: www.yorklibdems.org.uk