ANGRY residents were told there's no grit in Upton – as Wakefield Council will not treat the village's roads despite continued freezing conditions.
The authority has confirmed only Field Lane and New Lane on the outskirts will be treated during extreme weather due to concerns over grit supplies.
Locals are worried that no grit for High Street and Waggon Lane – a main route in and out of the v
illage and home to Upton Primary School – will cause chaos.
Joe Bell, 71, of Wrangbrook Road, said: "Last week buses had trouble coming through Upton as it hadn't been gritted. They had to go round and missed out several stops where people were waiting to get on. I was told Upton is not on the gritting route any more. But we are talking about the main street that runs all the way through the village."
Diane West, of Quarry Lane, said: "Upton is terrible when it is icy. I live on a hill and when it snows you just can't get cars out of the street. Waggon Lane is a main route for kids getting to school and the road from Barnsdale Way to Common Lane is the thoroughfare in Upton. I know we've had it bad, but you would think these routes would be gritted."
A Wakefield Council spokesperson said: "As a result of recent severe winter weather – the worst in more than 30 years – grit remains a concern locally and nationally and the government is co-coordinating the country's supplies.
"As a result key routes have been prioritised for treatment. This means resources have had to be focused on A-roads and other main strategic roads. Only the B6474 Field Lane and New Lane in Upton are currently treated."
l The bad weather also caused havoc for schoolchildren on Tuesday.
Students from Ryhill and Havercroft were left unable to get to Hemsworth Arts and Community College after public transport to and from the two villages was severely disrupted due to icy roads.
Pupils at St Helen's C of E School, in Hemsworth, also had difficulties. Parent-governor Samantha Steel Corcoran said: "Parents and carers have complained about how scared they were taking their children across Moorshutt Road into school today.
"It was black ice – my husband fell, hurting his elbow, and people was scared because cars were skidding all over."
To find out which routes have been identified for gritting, see www.wakefield.gov.uk
