ANGRY residents say they have been “failed” by North Yorkshire County Council, claiming the authority left it too late to grit their icy rural roads.

Drivers in the Upper Dales of North Yorkshire say roads in Arkengarthdale, which reaches a height of 1,600ft between Reeth and the Tan Hill Inn, were not gritted until well after 10am last Friday - too late to be of assistance to those travelling to work and school.

Coun John Blackie, who represents the Upper Dales on North Yorkshire County Council, said the traditional self-reliance of Dales residents had been severely compromised: “This is another disappointment, both to Arkengarthdale and to me as their county councillor.”

An overnight frost followed by light rain had left roads affected by sheet ice, but when Coun Blackie complained to the county council he was told that the gritter was unable to go out having been involved in an accident in neighbouring Swaledale.

He said the fall-back position should have been to call out a contractor based at Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale, who has a trailer gritter, but was told that it was awaiting a service.

“It seems a great pity that this service call could not have been made before the winter season came upon us,” he said. “This back-up was not available because the county council had not fixed it 'whilst the sun was shining,' and so Arkengarthdale's residents had to go without.”

In February, Coun Blackie called a public meeting to discuss changes to the council’s Winter Road Maintenance policy, warning lives would be lost if cuts were made.

He said he will press the council to ensure the trailer gritter is repaired, and that roadside salt bins are kept filled so local people can help themselves in an emergency.

North Yorkshire's executive member for environmental services, Coun John Fort, said there had been no reduction in gritter numbers.

"The problem is that it is a new system and it will take a bit of bedding in,” he said.

“We were hoping it would be a smooth transition, but on this occasion we have had teething troubles.

"There has been an allegation made that because one gritter ran off the road we did not have another to back it up, but that has never changed.

“As with all new policies we will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds."