NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 5 January 2010 SNP NEED TO GET A GRIP OF SNOW & ICE IN PERTH & KINROSS With the continuing wintry conditions, Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith have called on Perth & Kinross Council to ensure that enough is being done to keep local roads open and to improve the state of the pavements as a result of the snow and ice. The call comes after councils across Scotland struggle with supplies of salt and grit for roads and pavements. The SNP Government has stated it will supply councils with enough salt and grit, with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP stating on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland on Monday 4th January: “In communities I have been in, there are perfectly adequate walking conditions around individual properties.” Murdo Fraser MSP said: “Over the festive period, I have had a deluge of people getting in touch regarding the state of the roads and pavements as a result of the extreme weather. “Across Perth and Perthshire communities, the ice and snow has made some roads impassable and made pavements hazardous and a danger to walk on. The weather has caused havoc across Perth and Kinross. “The Council must have enough gritters out to ensure that the roads and pavements are safe and there must be enough resources, including salt and grit, to carry out the job properly. “If SNP politicians think that walking conditions are adequate then they clearly need to get out more. The state of far too many pavements in Perth and Perthshire communities is downright dangerous at the moment and many elderly people in particular are frightened to leave their homes at this time. “These are difficult and dangerous conditions we are dealing with and the SNP Government must ensure that Perth & Kinross and all local authorities have the proper resources to keep our streets safe.” Liz Smith MSP said: “Local residents across Perth and Kinross are angry at the poor management of weather conditions by the SNP-led Perth & Kinross Administration. “There has been a complete lack of information provided on the gritting of pavements and the refilling of grit bins. I have had many constituents contact me complaining that the emergency numbers which residents were been told to contact have not been answered. “Serious questions need to be asked as to what advance planning the Council has undertaken and why the county has been with untreated roads and pavements. “Council tax payers expect the SNP-led Perth & Kinross Administration to be prepared for extreme weather but it appears they have just not been able to cope.” ENDS   back to top of page