Personal injury solicitors Preston are
asking anyone with information about gritting bin salt thefts to get in touch
with the police as soon as possible, as these crimes are putting the health and
safety of the general public at risk.
Preston Borough Council Highway MaintenanceTeam Leader Peter O'Gorman said that the salt is likely being stolen by a rogue
trader who is planning to sell it on when the weather worsens, although it may
be being removed by members of the public who want to use it on their driveways.
No win no fee solicitors Preston point out
that this salt is intended for use on the borough's highways, so not only does
the theft of salt have cost implications for the local authority, but it could
also see road users and the general public put in danger during icy weather.
The council's gritting teams need to know
that the grit bins are properly filled when dealing with changing weather
conditions.
Currently, there are over 455 salt bins in
the borough, which are strategically positioned in locations such as near to
sharp bends and on steep hills. There are also seven gritting vehicles
available to Preston Council and a team of drivers, who are on 24-hour standby
throughout the week.
Every year, the council clears snows from
roads or salts them 145 different times, on average. Around 50% of the
borough's 320km road network consists of major roads, and these routes are the
ones that will be treated.
The council has currently got 5,000 tonnes
of salt stored, and the average year will see it using 5,300 tonnes. If
supplies need to be topped up, this will be revealed in the council's weekly
salt-usage report.
Clearwater Solicitors, who can help people
make personal injury claims in Preston, explained the grit bins exist for the
public's safety, and that people who are stealing from these bins are therefore
putting people in unnecessary danger.
