MOTORISTS in Radcliffe who had the pleasure of travelling over untreated roads during the recent festive spell of bad weather will have heard the excuse from Bury Metro that they no longer have a legal obligation to grit the public highway, including the pavements, following a decision in the House of Lords.

However, there seems to be a privileged group.

On the morning of Thursday, January 3, the gritting of roads was proceeding industriously, just as on the same day in 2001. Thursday is the day the bins get emptied in our part of Radcliffe.

But while other road users had to put up with bad conditions, the bin-men obviously enjoy preferred status. In fact, they seem to be able to choose which bins to empty and which to ignore if the road has not been gritted.

Perhaps a council representative will provide an explanation, particularly as the (expensive) council roadshow is again probably about to try and justify the huge hike in council tax that the media is suggesting is in the pipeline. Bury Metro is certain not to miss this golden opportunity, although it is becoming increasingly obvious that services, such as gritting, are benefits which are getting fewer in number.

RIPPED-OFF

RATEPAYERS