Calls for salt bins on steep Basildon road (From Southend Standard)
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Calls for salt bins on steep Basildon road
10:00am Monday 3rd December 2012 in Echo News By Luke Lambert
Angry Seaview Avenue residents
RESIDENTS have slammed Essex County Council for not introducing salt bins on their steep cul-de-sac.
They said that Seaview Avenue in Basildon is a death trap and, as the cold winter draws closer, it is only a matter of time before an accident happens. When the cul-de-sac becomes iced at the moment the cars are forced to gather in a group at the bottom of the road as they are unable to reach the top.
Nigel Gillatt, who has lived at the very top of Seaview Avenue for 18 years said this has been a problem for years but county council refuse to help. He is calling for immediate action to be taken so a serious accident is prevented.
Mr Gillatt, 51, said: “This is one of the steepest hills in Basildon and is a really big problem. There were examples last year when we had the snow and it was a total nightmare. We had cars slipping and sliding all over the place and it seems to be a young child or elderly person has to be hit before something is done.” He says the residents would be willing to salt the road themselves but without a salt bin this could prove difficult.
“We aren’t asking for much. Surely a salt bin is much easier to handle than someone’s death so why can’t Essex County Council help us out.”
Councillor Andrew Gordon, of Nethermayne ward, said: “I have had several enquiries from residents and must say I am surprised this road doesn’t have a salt bin considering how steep it is. With a cold winter now fast approaching I believe a salt bin needs to be placed on this road with the greatest urgency.”
An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “Essex County Council is currently reviewing the criteria for installing or replacing salt bins. We have looked into alternative ways of making the most of our winter resources and improving the support we offer our residents and highway users. One of those alternative methods is the salt bag scheme where we provide salt to a number of Parish and Town Councils to help local communities support themselves during periods of heavy snow. In addition, for this winter, we are looking to pilot a new scheme whereby larger urban residents groups can access salt bags via their local Essex County Councillor.”
Comments(16)
J_blond
says...
10:30am Mon 3 Dec 12
Eric Whim wrote:I seem to recall stories about people stealing the salt and grit. What for I have no idea, but it wasn't being used on roads!
An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “Essex County Council is currently reviewing the criteria for installing or replacing salt bins.they removed most of the salt bins from the side of roads a few years ago. Was presumably costing them too much to keep them topped up in snowy/icy spells
Nebs
says...
10:32am Mon 3 Dec 12
Barry Bas
says...
10:59am Mon 3 Dec 12
J_blond wrote:I know of some that had been set on fire. Others seem to be just a mass lump of old salt or grit.
Eric Whim wrote:I seem to recall stories about people stealing the salt and grit. What for I have no idea, but it wasn't being used on roads!An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “Essex County Council is currently reviewing the criteria for installing or replacing salt bins.they removed most of the salt bins from the side of roads a few years ago. Was presumably costing them too much to keep them topped up in snowy/icy spells
Also who called that road Seaview Avenue it is miles away from the sea.
Blind Haze
says...
11:01am Mon 3 Dec 12
Dingo
says...
3:38pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Blind Haze wrote:I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.
Blind Haze
says...
3:50pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.
Blind Haze wrote:I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.
Dingo
says...
4:03pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Blind Haze
says...
6:09pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Dingo wrote:Wouldn't the Velcro freeze over too?
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Dingo
says...
8:46pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Blind Haze wrote:The modern properties of Velcro means that it is unfreezable. First year science lesson for you there.
Dingo wrote:Wouldn't the Velcro freeze over too?
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Blind Haze
says...
10:06pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Dingo wrote:Perhaps that's the case but the surface water would freeze. Primary school science lesson for you there.
Blind Haze wrote:The modern properties of Velcro means that it is unfreezable. First year science lesson for you there.
Dingo wrote:Wouldn't the Velcro freeze over too?
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Devils Advocate
says...
11:19pm Mon 3 Dec 12
Dingo
says...
5:17pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Blind Haze wrote:Velcro is made of salt. Probably. It will never freeze. University of Essex science for you there.
Dingo wrote:Perhaps that's the case but the surface water would freeze. Primary school science lesson for you there.
Blind Haze wrote:The modern properties of Velcro means that it is unfreezable. First year science lesson for you there.
Dingo wrote:Wouldn't the Velcro freeze over too?
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Blind Haze
says...
10:51am Wed 5 Dec 12
Dingo wrote:Yes, and ice is made from witches' sh1t.
Blind Haze wrote:Velcro is made of salt. Probably. It will never freeze. University of Essex science for you there.
Dingo wrote:Perhaps that's the case but the surface water would freeze. Primary school science lesson for you there.
Blind Haze wrote:The modern properties of Velcro means that it is unfreezable. First year science lesson for you there.
Dingo wrote:Wouldn't the Velcro freeze over too?
Blind Haze wrote:Perhaps the fitting of a road made of Velcro coupled with tyres and shoes made of said same material could be the answer.
Dingo wrote:Alternatively they could just pour hot water onto the ice, that'd solve the problem. Temporarily.Blind Haze wrote: I find the ice useful if I'm trying to get down the hill.I am glad someone has looked at the positive side to this story. Yes, I would think it is difficult to climb the hill when there is ice. But think how much time the residents will save when going down the hill. They'll reach the bottom in seconds.
Eric Whim
says...
11:04am Wed 5 Dec 12
Devils Advocate
says...
11:27am Wed 5 Dec 12
Eric Whim says...
10:07am Mon 3 Dec 12
they removed most of the salt bins from the side of roads a few years ago.
Was presumably costing them too much to keep them topped up in snowy/icy spells