AT a meeting this week with the county council, I criticised their winter gritting service.

The main roads were kept reasonably clear but the vast majority of streets and access points to people’s homes were, quite frankly, awful.

I do not think that gritting should be a party political issue.

Last year members from all sides came to together to demand improvements to the service, and on the back of that, promises were made that things would get better.

Last winter’s snow served as a useful rehearsal for things to come but what do we see this year?

Only two weeks into it, grit was effectively rationed and this was long before the government stepped in!

We are now told that county councillors were asked to identify six grit bins in each area that could be re-filled.

This is no way to run a service, not in a place like Rossendale, where residents rely so heavily on grit bins.

What we need is a winter gritting service that is aimed at keeping Rossendale’s hilly streets as clear as possible, not a blanket approach offering the same service all over Lancashire.

So come on, Rossendale county councillors, you were very vocal last year when in opposition – be true to your word and speak up for Rossendale and get this nonsense sorted out.

Alyson Barnes, Labour Group Leader Rossendale Borough Council.