Lack of car park grit a 'fiasco' - claim

The lack of gritting on council car parks in north Norfolk during the big winter freeze was called a fiasco by a Holt councillor.Michael Baker tabled an official question at a full district council meeting asking for an explanation of the issue, which has sparked public complaints.

The lack of gritting on council car parks in north Norfolk during the big winter freeze was called a fiasco by a Holt councillor.

Michael Baker tabled an official question at a full district council meeting asking for an explanation of the issue, which has sparked public complaints.

He asked if insurance advice not to grit was 'to protect council employees at the expense of the general public' who were hurt in falls.

'Surely if snow clearance is done properly the insurance aspect is academic,' said Mr Baker who said staff at his store had cleared areas with shovels and put down three tonnes of sand.

'If it can be done by private enterprise, the council can do more than hide behind the mythical pathetic notion about legal challenge,' he added.

Property cabinet member Peter Moore said council insurers and solicitors had consistently advised that car parks should be left untreated, but officers were 'going back' to check, so he could not yet give a full answer.