Non-car users in Salford have shared their fury at ‘unusable’ un-gritted walking and cycling paths after Salford City Council promised to prioritise non-vechicular modes of transport.
The news comes after photographs of a severely icy Swinton Greenway circulated across Twitter. Users of the path claim it was ‘dangerous’ for walkers and cyclers due to a lack of gritting imposed on the area by Salford City Council.
The argument comes after days of heavy frost and snow throughout Greater Manchester, with RHS Bridgewater closing its gardens due to health and safety concerns.
Step 1: Spend millions on an active travel route
Step 2: Make it unusable for 1/4 of the year https://t.co/hqGpqDh2kP pic.twitter.com/oYsOhaRt5f
— Walk Ride Central Salford (@WRSalford) December 13, 2022
Salford City Council responded to the claims, stating: “Unfortunately we do not have the resources to undertake this kind of gritting service so can only grit primary routes and then secondary routes where resources allow.”
Commuters also shared how they believe the Council has ‘U-Turned’ on their promise to ‘increase opportunities for walking and cycling, thereby helping to support healthier lifestyles’ and ‘to increase inclusivity (especially for the 37% of Salford households that do not have access to a car) and reduce reliance on the private car’.
Harry Gray of Twitter account ‘Walk Ride Central Salford’ said: “The council has committed to prioritising walking and cycling in policy, yet walking and cycling routes are left unusable all winter without proper gritting. Many of these routes are used by thousands of people across Salford to get to work or see friends – and they are being excluded from council services.
“We want to be able to safely get to work with gritted paths like the minority of people who drive.”
One user, Sue Mahony Ph.D tweeted: “Bike routes *are* primary routes, in many cases.”
Another user said: “Why aren’t bike route considered a primary?”
Salford City Council were contacted for a statement on the issue.
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