Council rose to challenge (From Salisbury Journal)

Council rose to challenge

4:12pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Postbag

I AM writing to pass thanks to the many Wiltshire Council staff who have worked tirelessly during the unprecedented weather of the past months.

During the flooding at the end of last year (reputed to be the worst for the past 50 years) they literally manned the pumps, helped householders whose homes had been flooded and took action to prevent many more houses being flooded.

During the freezing weather and the snow they salted the roads and pavements. They were also driving 4x4s, making sure that carers were able to get to vulnerable residents, and vital medicines were delivered. Now staff attention has turned to repairing the roads this extreme weather has damaged. Flooding followed by freezing causes havoc. Since Christmas more than 1,000 potholes have been repaired. However, it is truly challenging to address all problems on 2,700 miles of roads instantly, but good progress is being made.

Now plans are being made to resurface sections of the roads that are most damaged. We are fortunate Wiltshire Council is not reducing the amount of money allocated to roads despite budget pressures.

The Government recognised the effect severe weather has, and allocated us another £2.4m for the coming year. This gives us £18.6m for roads-related works. This is hugely encouraging, as Wiltshire Council staff who repair the roads know that the money is available for them to do the job properly.

Thank you again to all those staff who have worked so hard helping residents and improving our roads under such difficult conditions.

CLLR DICK TONGE, Wiltshire Council