LAST time over night temperature dropped below freezing there were patches of ice on the pathways at Woodside, Newport City Homes (NCH) failed to grit. I emailed NCH pointing out their lack of action was putting my frail and less able neighbours at risk. 

Part of the response I received. “Our caretakers are instructed to grit the schemes and paths to shopping areas etc. asap when we are hit by the unexpected weather. And I have notified Estates of your concerns at Woodside specifically.”

Due to last night’s, (January 29), freezing temperatures highways agency and council had their road and public pathway gritters working. The latter in Newport centre anyway. 

At our social housing scheme, again nothing.

Is this lack of care an isolated case or symbolic of housing trusts flight to freedom now our elected paid employees, the council, have relinquished responsibilities towards this, one of the most vulnerable, section of our communities.

Maybe local media could balance articles of spending public money on new housing schemes and office space by articles on how trusts save public money? 

Unfortunately Freedom of Information Act doesn’t apply to trusts.

Peter Walters
Duffryn
Newport