Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has raised concerns about public safety after grit bins were removed from a new housing development in Elgin.
Mr Halcro Johnston was contacted by residents at Linkwood, part of a new housing development to the east of Elgin, after grit bins were removed, raising fears that accidents could occur in wintry weather, or emergency vehicles could face difficulty accessing the development.
The Conservative MSP has written to both the developer, Barratts, and Moray Council calling for action on the issue.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “Moray Council has installed grit bins on the adopted roads, but that has left residents on the unadopted roads vulnerable to the effects of wintry weather.
“Despite having initially included grit bins in the development, it appears that the developer concerned decided to removed them before the roads were adopted.
“I have written to the Chief Executive of Barratts to ask him to reverse the decision and to re-install the bins. However, until Barratts takes action, Moray Council should step in.
“Whether they live on adopted or unadopted roads, local residents pay their council tax to Moray Council and should expect to receive the services that their neighbours receive.
“I accept Moray Council is under severe financial strain because of the Scottish Government’s squeeze on local council funding, something which Cosla has highlighted only this week, but we have been fortunate that the winter has been relatively mild so far.
“My fear is that, if the weather deteriorates, the risk of local people being injured on these untreated roads or pavements only increases. And there is the real possibility of emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, finding these roads unusable.
“Whether it’s Moray Council or Barratts who provide the grit bins will be of little concern to local residents. They just want a service they pay for, and are entitled to, provided”.
