Action has been too slow in coming

Published 12 Jan 2010 15:20

Battered by the effects of the severe wintry weather, snow and ice conditions underfoot, life and limb and prosperity, are at risk still, in Fife, as personal experience and local press reports show.

Weather reports aside, "Mother Nature" can still catch we mortals out suddenly; but long experience, commonsense, purpose and authority, are usually good pointers for those tasked by local government (and national) to care for the safety and well-being of individuals and businesses in our community.

Fife councillors and officials will, at this time, be anxious to discuss and act quickly, to secure best action for the population, now and for the future.

A question arises here. Is there a financial problem between central and local Government, creating the current sad affair of hardship for the many?

The last time I witnessed such conditions was when miners president Mr Arthur Scargill came to Lochgelly, to address large numbers of striking Fife miners, and no doubt many miners from further afield. I was impressed by the provision of access and co-operation provided by Fife Council and by Fife Police force at that time.

Also, more than 60 years ago, Aberdeenshire adults and schoolchildren, experienced severe snow conditions as the regular "norm". But the authorities, and hard headed Aberdonians, resilient and determined, took on the odds, and the elements, and invariably won the day.

Those who could, cleared their own paths, and some areas of pavements at times.

As did shopkeepers, chemists, banks, schools, etc, out of local concern for the population, not excluding visitors.

In Fife, we are told, salt was on its way from Holland. Locally a recent Fife police car, on hard snow and ice, was almost "rudderless" and immobile, having to be assisted out of a mild incline in a cul-de-sac, by two able-bodied men.

What price here, ambulances, police emergency, fire engines, doctors, nurses, home visitors, family, ministers and priests and so on?

We all know Fife Council has the proven capacity and authority and wherewith all, to safeguard its constituents, without fault.

What has gone wrong this time? What are the MPs, MSPs doing? What is the Prime Minister doing, as the local MP?

Surely the prestige, the capability, the "presence" of our PM, must count for something, to give us just a little edge, just this time?

Fife Council bears major responsibility, and the public expect action, and an end to our problems, as far as it is within our capacity.

ANDY WILSON,

Kelty.

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