I WAS under the impression, along with many more local residents that St Helens Council were committed to their policies of providing a safe environment throughout the borough, for the people.

Yet I can not understand the reasoning they employ when it comes to ensuring that our highways are completely safe during cold snaps, as we have all just gone through.

Previously I have noticed gritters deployed to combat icy conditions and yellow grit containers strategically placed, yet where were they this time over the Christmas holiday season?

Many places, including my own street, which is a steep brow, have been left untreated and due to this has caused a severe hazard, not only to motorists, but pedestrians also.

Now I don't want to sound like a moaning person because I love the snow, it's great to have seen a white Christmas, which is a rarity in Britain.

However could I just put the following to the council - what comes first... people's safety or the expense of an old person suffering a fractured hip?

Carl Dingsdale.