COUNCIL bosses in Carmarthenshire have been accused of ‘playing Russian roulette’ with residents’ safety as gritters prepare to strike this evening.

Carmarthenshire County Council has issued a statement reassuring the public that contingency arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of the travelling public as winter maintenance staff prepare to take industrial action.

Trade unions have asked their members not to carry out gritting on roads out-of-hours today and tomorrow (5 and 6 January).

Two further periods of industrial action are also planned between January 17 and 21, and 24 to 28 January.

The GMB union has said in response that the council is playing ’Russian roulette’ with residents’ safety over a gritter strike.

The union has criticised the authority’s ’reckless behaviour’ and council staff picketed last night at depots across Carmarthen, with further picket lines due to take place this evening.

Peter Hill GMB organiser said: “Right now the council is playing Russian Roulette with the safety of Carmarthenshire residents.

“Large chunks of the road network were not gritted last night, and it will remain the case for the next 48 hours.

“Our members are also Carmarthenshire residents and we’re advising our families and friends to avoid the roads over the next 48 hours as many will not be gritted.

“Rather than brandishing an agreement to deal with essential emergency work, they should be advising residents to avoid travelling unless utterly necessary.”

Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The council recognises and values the contribution of our employees in helping to ensure the road network is treated during the winter months to provide a safe road network for the public, businesses and the emergency services.

“The council made a formal agreement with the trade unions in 2020 to cover winter maintenance duties.

“The agreement recognised the valuable contribution our employees make and provided them with a remuneration package which is one of the highest in Wales.

“The council has adhered to the terms and conditions of the negotiated agreement and has always worked to support our employees to provide a safe road network for our communities, businesses and emergency services, as far as reasonably practicable.

“An increased offer was put to the trade unions to help secure the winter maintenance service.

“Unfortunately, trade union colleagues have chosen not to present this offer to their members but have decided to ballot and implement a period of industrial action at this difficult time.

“The offer remains available to our employees and on the negotiating table with our trade unions. We hope that in the wider interest of our communities, our employees will give the offer due consideration.

In the interim the council will implement its contingency plan to undertake gritting on a reduced resilient network.”