Binmen may help with gritting in bad weather (From Wharfedale Observer)

Binmen may help with gritting in bad weather

11:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Annette McIntyre

Binmen could help grit roads during bad weather in an idea being considered by councillors.
Adel and Wharfedale councillor Barry Anderson is urging Leeds City Council to push ahead with the suggestion to use waste management staff on winter maintenance duties during periods of severe winter weather.
Councillor Barry Anderson, who chairs the North West Environmental Services Sub-Group, says that the proposal could help make best use of council resources and ensure that roads are well gritted in the winter months.
Historically waste management staff have been given the option to take leave during periods of heavy snow and ice, when refuse lorries can’t reach many roads.
But Coun Anderson welcomed the idea of redeploying binmen to help with gritting.
He said: “I am pleased to see some joined-up thinking is taking place on what might be done to help deliver next year’s winter maintenance programme at maximum efficiency.
“When services are being cut across all departments, the Council must show it is making full use of staff resources.
“We cannot have a situation where, in times of crisis, employees are potentially left sat twiddling their thumbs, when they could be out there making a difference to the safety of our roads.
“During the last period of heavy snow, the Highways Department struggled to clear parts of the city, and this resulted in some residents being unable to leave their houses to go and get the most basic provisions. We must seek better ways of working if we are to provide the level of service that taxpayers rightly expect, and I very much welcome these discussions.”
The redeployment of binmen to help with gritting duties was discussed at an environmental services sub-group meeting last week. Councillors also discussed using volunteers to act as snow wardens and to help with snow clearance.