Drivers clear and grit Haymarket car park ramp in Leicester after getting trapped
Motorists trapped in the Haymarket car park because the steep exit ramp had not been gritted decided to do it themselves.
Seven members of the public got shovels from cleaning staff at the centre and used them to clear the snow and distribute grit from a bin near the ramp.
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They acted after being told they might have to leave their vehicles at the city council-run car park overnight on Friday – and pay the extra charges.
A spokesman for the council said it had been aware of the problem, but its gritters had been caught up in the gridlock which brought the city to a grinding halt.
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Janet Ellson, 74, of the Scraptoft Lane area of Leicester, was among those trapped, along with her son, Colin, who helped clear the snow and spread the grit.
She said: "When we got there at 3.50pm we were told it was too dangerous to drive down the ramp.
"A security guard said he had called the city council, but no-one arrived. He said we could leave the vehicles overnight, but would have to pay the extra charges!"
A spokesman for the council said: "We had all of our gritting teams out on Friday treating about 283 kilometres of roads. We did get a call to go to the Haymarket, but the team were caught up in the congestion and did not make it until after the drivers had gone."
Comments
by georgeisafish
Monday, January 21 2013, 7:44PM
“are the grit bins not there for this purpose? ie getting oneself out of trouble?”
by Neil0123
Monday, January 21 2013, 7:09PM
“Another nice little earner for Sir Peter. Don't grit the ramp so they can't remove their cars & then whack on a surcharge for the inconvenience.
I bet the car park at the New Walk Centre was the first one to be gritted!!”
by lorraine1965
Monday, January 21 2013, 1:03PM
“we did pass aload of gritter lorries on saturday..not on the road,but in leicester tigers ground..4gritters lorries and 3small council vans..all gritting the car park..wot abt the side streets.they are that slippy”
by anobserver
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:31AM
“"One Leicester"!
Joke or what ?
Were the "volunteers" given health and safety training?Were they wearing suitable hi-viz clothing, hard hats and correct footwear?Were shovels suitable for task and manufactured to suitable BS certification.Were gloves provided?
A main car park to bring business into the City and it cannot be used.Could not write a better comedy sketch.”
by Rob_1
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:01AM
“A spokesman for the council said: "We had all of our gritting teams out on Friday treating about 283 kilometres of roads. We did get a call to go to the Haymarket, but the team were caught up in the congestion and did not make it until after the drivers had gone
Best laugh so far, the gritting teams were caught up in the congestion, I thought the gritting teams were supposed to clear the roads to stop congestion.”