Despite the fact temperatures are rising and the Country is heading towards summer winter road gritting and snow clearance in the Gnosall area were under discussion this week.

Gnosall Division County Councillor Barry Stamp met with staff in the Council's Highway Department to learn more about the Council's winter maintenance programme and to raise concerns of local residents about poor service during last winters freeze.

"During last winter, a number of local residents raised with me the poor level of service they felt they were getting from the County Council when it came to the gritting of icy roads. To help me understand the problem better, I was pleased to spend a morning talking to Officers in the Highways Department about the policy adopted by the Council, and how I could ensure the residents in my area get a better service next winter. I know it seems silly to talk about road gritting and snow clearing at this time of the year, but if I am to get things changed in time for next winter the process needs to be started now. Having now been briefed by the officers, I shall be arguing with the Council that of a number of local roads should be included in next year's gritting programme, which I understand is normally reviewed during the summer. It did seem rather strange to be looking at pictures of snow and gritting machines when the sun was shining outside, but it is pointless leaving this till next winter as by then it will be far to late too make any changes," said Councillor Stamp.