A REQUEST for Sedgefield Borough Council to allocate extra funding in next year's budget to clearing snow from footpaths has been refused.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Ben Ord made the request after Durham County Council's decision to cut its winter maintenance budget by £400,000.
Coun Ord said: "I was bombarded with complaints about road conditions during the two recent spells of bad weather."
A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: "Every local authority is given a substantial amount of money to cover road maintenance, including gritting. The decisions on where to grit are local decisions, best made by the local authorities.
"The Department for Transport, the Institution of Highways and transportation professionals issue comprehensive guidance on highway maintenance which we urge them to follow.
"The department is currently planning legislation which will make it compulsory for local authorities to remove ice and snow from roads."
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