Worker’s gritting rant amid chaos

Council staffer hits out at complaints as heavy snowfall sees tempers rise across Dundee

A staff member of Dundee’s gritting team hit back at critics yesterday as tempers boiled over in a frantic and eventful snow-hit day for the city.

The freezing weather front brought several inches of white powder overnight with the city was included in the amber weather warning zone through to 6pm today.

Schools in the city remained open, causing controversy among parents.

Many classes at both Dundee and Abertay University were cancelled to allow staff to safely travel home, while Dundee and Angus College closed for the day.

Amid early criticism on social media of the condition of roads, a member of Tayside Contracts’ roads department Jillian Livie said that she was “p **** ed off” at those who were complaining and insisted the organisation’s gritters had been working all hours.

Responding to one angry Twitter user who said he had driven on an untreated main road all the way to work, she said she could “guarantee” that all the most important routes in the city had been spread with salt.

Dundee City Council received criticism from parents for its late announcement that all the city’s schools would remain open.

The local authority had initially stated it would inform teachers and parents on any possible closures at 7am, however it wasn’t until 7.30am that it announced all would “be open as usual” following “careful consideration” of the weather and road conditions.

Bus firm Xplore Dundee had cancelled all school services following the advice of the Met Office and police who had warned against any unnecessary travel within the amber zone.

However, the company reversed this decision upon hearing the council’s announcement and apologised for confusion. The firm’s services only used main roads throughout the day for “safety reasons”.

Some school children in Baldragon Academy and Craigie High were reportedly left sitting in assembly rooms in the morning after teachers were unable to make it in to teach classes.

However, the council said that staff were able to “manage lessons and learn- ing opportunities for pupils across the timetable.”

The council’s convener of children and families, Councillor Gregor Murray, said the day’s relatively mild weather showed it had been the right decision to keep schools open.

But he added: “We did set ourselves a time to advertise that decision, and we missed that deadline.

“I have spoken to officers today to ensure that for tomorrow, we ensure that we give all staff, pupils and parents as much notice as we possibly can.”

Abertay University advised all students and staff to head home from 3pm following the Met Office’s decision to upgrade large swathes of Fife and Tayside to red.

The notice is the highest of the organisation’s weather warnings.

All classes have been cancelled today however the university remains open for those who wish to attend.

Dundee University allowed staff and students to head home if necessary after the Met Office’s warning upgrade.

Dundee Sheriff Court closed at lunchtime yesterday, with a decision on opening to be made today.

Meanwhile, some local businesses made the extra effort to help those struggling during the storm.

The new Union Street vegan cafe Marwick’s was offering free hot drinks to the homeless throughout the day to help keep them warm.