In August Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North, Garth Harkness hit out at the council for their plan to remove some of the grit bins in Saddleworth. “It will put the public at risk”, he says.

In September 2023 the exact same proposals were put forward as the proposals set out in August.

Councillor Garth Harkness said “ I was asked on 23rd September for comments and the email was exactly the same proposals we had been told was happening in August. This time it was supposed to now be a consultation. I made exactly the same comments as before.”

Councillor Harkness now on 3rd November 2023, following the “consultation” all the same grit bins are now confirmed to be “removed in the coming weeks”. Oldham council risk Saddleworth residents safety with the reckless decision 

Councillor Garth Harkness said “ What an absolute joke. Oldam council tried to just remove the grit bins and when called out gave some warm words about a pause and consultation. Well here we are a couple of months later. Ignoring all the concerns raised and removing the same grit bins proposed in August “

“ Winters in Saddleworth are harsher than other parts of the borough but no consideration for the residents here. So residents will be put at risk as Labour Oldham council don’t think road safety is an essential service. “I opposed these cuts but they are ploughing on regardless this is not a consultation it is lip service”

The council plans to remove several grit bins in Delph, two in Diggle and one in Denshaw. It claims that some are on gritting routes and others are not used enough.