Householders left to grit unadopted roads

A housing developer behind one of the largest schemes in Cambuslang says it is up to residents to grit the roads outside their homes.

Taylor Wimpey has refused repeated requests to provide grit bins in some streets of the Newton Farm estate, despite the roads having not yet been adopted by the local authority.

The housing giant says it will not replace a grit bin it removed from Honeydew Drive, where residents say any movement by car or on foot is dangerous.

Graham Andrew, a householder on Honeydew Drive, said: “When you come out of the drive, your car just skids. This winter has been a nightmare just to get out to work.

“We had a grit bin in last year and, with winter coming up, I asked why it had been removed, could we get it back. They said they wouldn’t give one back because they had all been allocated.

“On Red Deer Road there is one every 100 to 150 yards on both sides of the road, for us that’s a five-minute walk on an icy road. Last night I spent half an hour filling buckets to grit the road.”

A spokeswoman for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland said: “As a neighbourly gesture, Taylor Wimpey does consider the supply of grit bins for some areas within its developments where there are steep bends and gradients. However, in general terms, the responsibility for ensuring unadopted roads within a development are clear of weather related conditions such as snow and ice rests with individual property owners.

“We did review the position of the grit bins on Honeydew Drive in our Newton Farm development a number of months ago, and can confirm one bin was removed in the summer. One bin was retained at the bottom of the steep bend for the convenience of home owners in this area, which is regularly filled to enable residents to clear roads and paths.

“The overall process to have roads within this part of the development adopted was expected in December and has been delayed. However, we anticipate this process will be completed within the next few months.”