WINCHESTER civic chiefs criticised the poor gritting of pavements across the city in the recent Big Freeze.

Cllr Lucille Thompson said some pavements had been "pretty treacherous" for four weeks.

She called on the city council to give more attention to making things safer for pedestrians.

"If you are not doing the pavements, it is all very well doing the roads but if people cannot get across the pavements to use the roads, there's no point."

But Cllr Keith Wood, portfolio holder for planning and access, told the Council meeting on Wednesday the responsibility lay with the county council. He said: "We have no operatives who go around spreading salt.

"The county council has done a very good job keeping the major routes and secondary roads open. In truth, they haven't got round to doing the pavements."

Cllr Thompson said the city council could provide more grit bins, so local people can spread the salt themselves.

The issue will be raised at the town forum on Wednesday, January 20.

Winchester City Council helps by the gritting of certain areas within its responsibility, including car parks, the park and ride sites and footpaths on public open spaces such as Abbey Gardens.

A Stanmore resident Laura Mears raised the issue of the lack of bin collections. Hers was last collected on December 22. She said: "I do feel slightly miffed as whilst Stanmore Lane and other private roads have been gritted, Cromwell Road has been neglected despite being a major road.

"Living on a side street I do feel perhaps I am in the poorer neighbourhood after all. I see my husband and others managing to get to work and do a days grafting and feel that the council are now dragging it out a little."

What's your view? Have your roads and pavements been gritted? Leave your comments below.