A LACK of grit in Bagpath, near Tetbury, has sparked outrage as Gloucestershire County Council claimed that giving the village less salt than its neighbour each year was an oversight.

Bagpath resident John Giddings complained to the council several times to say that Newington Bagpath, a settlement of around five houses, was getting 11 piles of grit while Bagpath, which has nearly 25 houses only received two piles.

Mr Giddings, 77, said: “I don’t know why it happens but it happens every year. They seem to favour Newington. They put a lot of salt down the road there in the bins but on the side of the road as well.

As well as the fact that residents feel the distribution is unfair Mr Giddings noted that when it was cold roads such as Ashcroft road were potentially dangerous.

“It has been a couple of days ago but it’s not at the moment. We’ve always had to struggle with it to get them to put salt down in Bagpath,” he added.

The county council has apologised for the error in distributing the grit and are resolving the issue as soon as possible.

Local highways manager Richard Gray said: “We’ve met with Mr Giddings this week at Bagpath to discuss the issue and the salt bins in the area will be filled up shortly. We would like to apologise for the oversight and thank Mr Giddings for bringing it to our attention. “