I understand completely the council's decision not to grit minor roads to keep the main roads running and to conserve supplies. I have to ask the question that when the managers decided to leave the minor routs and estates a contingency plan of salt boxes should have been next in line in order to support the council tax payers who do need to get to main roads to indeed get to work to pay council tax!
With a salt box I could have salted my own driveway and that of my elderly neighbours. The other people who are picking up the pieces of this oversight must be asking the same question, the postman, delivery drivers, doctors on call, ambulances, local carers, the AA, RAC and hospitals having to cope with casualties to mention just a few.
This cold spell surely is not going away and cannot be completely unexpected; we pay managers in all roles extra money to make decisions not excuses!
A few weeks ago the council promised some bags of grit would be delivered to Chaucer Road but they never arrived!
I must congratulate the local bus service who has run everyday throughout covering all the major routes and linking up with villages. Well done, and thank you! Service with a smile. I noticed that the bus station did not get gritted either!
Elaine Searle
Chaucer Road
Tavistock
IN response to R Hazell's letter (January 7) regarding the Highways Department spoiling Christmas. Yes, Crelake was closed off by the police for safety reasons but many people managed to get in and out of Crelake on Christmas Day on foot.
The Market Inn delivered Christmas dinners to elderly customers and their families in Crelake Close who had booked but were unable to get here, these were delivered on foot via Battery Lane.
It was not an ideal Christmas but people made do, helped each other and made the best of the day. I'm sure Highways staff would have liked to spend Christmas with their families, instead they did the best possible job in the circumstances.
Sally Perkins
The Market Inn
Tavistock
THIS recent bout of icy/snowy weather has been a nightmare for all of us trying to go about our daily lives, but please spare a thought for the elderly and unwell, on whom this weather causes such extra impact.
When you cannot go out for fear of falling (and goodness knows it's been hard enough to walk about when you are fit and able) you depend on the goodwill of others to bring any shopping, prescriptions etc. you become unable to reach the social events which break up the week.
If you live alone, it can be like solitary confinement, you have the same four walls to look at for days at a time and only the TV to talk to!
Please, if you have neighbours that you know are likely to be struggling or are isolated in their homes by the weather, just pop your head in and say hi, they may not need anything but a friendly word and to know that someone cares, but it can make all the difference.
There but for the grace . . . one day it could be you.
Heather Rayne
Tavistock