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Wiganers show true grit
Ungritted side roads and pavements have led to treacherous conditions across the borough.
Council gritters were in operation on main roads, but were unable to service smaller side roads and housing estates, leading to many turning into ice rinks.
In Winstanley, residents banded together to clear local roads after they became too dangerous to use.
One resident said: "Winstanley became virtually inaccessible. Even an AA rescue van became stuck and was only able to move after the effort of a resident who dug into the ice and, using a piece of carpet, was able to push it free.
"Visitors and residents found the conditions somewhat of a death-trap.
"Seeing how dangerous the situation had become, and conscious of the fact that emergency services would have little chance of access should the need arise, some of the residents gathered together with spades and any other implements and started to dig and shovel!
"What a wonderful job they did, too, virtually clearing the entire close – no mean feat – to enable safer access in and out."
And in Leigh, a pensioner says he has been forced to break ice outside his home with a hammer because gritting has focused only on the main
roads.
Harold Mellor, 90, says he and his neighbours on the Higher Folds estate were left slipping and sliding on treacherous roads throughout the Christmas week and beyond.
He said: "The gritters have been focusing on the two main roads around here, but we've all been left slipping and sliding around on the side roads.
"One of my neighbours hurt her back in a fall the other day, but it was virtually impossible to help her because of the ice.
"I've been forced to break the ice outside my home with a hammer."
Mr Mellor added: "Ever since the first fall of snow it has caused havoc around here.
"The local off licence, which is very well-used, is on a slope and customers are having to cling onto railings just to get in there."
A council spokesman said: "Wigan is no different from any other borough in Britain.
"We have a limited number of gritters and our guys have been out in force. They have done a fantastic job.
"Our priorities, as ever, are the main roads, the bus routes and the routes to the hospitals. The small estate roads don't get treated and that has always been the case.
"Logistically it is simply not possible – there are thousands of miles of road in our network – but our sympathy goes out to those who are struggling."
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
