MERKINCH Traders Association has complained to the Town House about the state of the Grant Street car park and other paths and roads in the area during the prolonged cold spell. In particular, the car park area, which is widely used by pedestrians and motorists, shoppers and visitors to the area as well as local people, received no gritting.

The compacted frost and ice made it like a skating rink – even the young and able-bodied had the greatest difficulty walking on it.

In a letter to Mr Chris Claridge dated 9th January, Merkinch Traders' secretary Jim Smith wrote: “I would like to point out that during the last cold spell, virtually no gritting in the Merkinch area took place.
“We feel this is not good enough as we have a number of elderly people attending our shops.
“I would also like to add that the car park was not touched, causing great inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians alike.”

As we went to press Mr Smith said a senior Roads official had inspected the car park site and discussed the matter with him and it was hoped that an answer would be given soon.