Kent Highways Update on Folkestone and Sandgate gritting after snow [Updated]

7.03.00pm GMT Fri 12th Feb 2010

Kent Highways have responded to Lib Dem Kent County Councillor Tim Prater with an update on snow clearance and salt bin refilling across Folkestone and Sandgate.

Kent Highways say:

"We currently have a gang going round refilling all the salt bins on a regular basis.

"Now that the primary and secondary routes have been cleared we are beginning to deal with the roads in other areas. We have just had an update to say that gritting to the High Street footways in Folkestone and Sandgate are complete along with other localised spot salting.

"We will have crews working over the weekend with a view to dealing with as many areas as possible by Monday morning."

Tim Prater commented:

"I'm pleased that Kent Highways are starting to get to grips with the roads and pavements across Folkestone and Sandgate.

"However, I have already contacted KHS back on one point. I live on Sandgate High Street. I am looking at it now. I walked down it just 45 minutes ago. The pavements have certainly not been gritted. I am concerned that the information getting back to Kent Highways in Ashford isn't reflecting the real position on the ground."

Update, Friday 7pm: To their great credit, Kent Highway Services called Tim back at around 6.45pm on Friday. An inspector had been down to Sandgate High Street, and agreed that the pavements had not been gritted, and promised that crews will be there on Saturday morning. Thank you to KHS for this checking and response.

Tim also pressed for more information on the gritting on the A259 from Wednesday at 3pm to noon on Thursday, during which time Sandgate Hill became blocked and closed due to the snow. Tim asked when gritters were on the road for those hours, as the local evidence was that they had not been gritted between those times, and contributed to the huge problems getting from Hythe through Sandgate to Folkestone.