COMMUNITY leaders in Porthmadog say they are outraged that the local authority is continuing to go ahead with their plans to stop providing salt bins in the community.

In November, Gwynedd Council announced that from next year it will be asking community councils to take over responsibility for any grit bins due to an unprecedented financial shortfall as a result of severe cuts in the funding they receive from the government to pay for local services.

Following the announcement, Porthmadog Town Council wrote to the local authority to say they were unhappy with the plans.

A letter of response was sent back to the town council saying that the plans to pass the responsibility of salt bins over to the community and town councils were still going ahead and that the councillors needed to make a decision on which bins in the community were a priority.

Cllr Alwyn Gruffydd, who represents Tremadog on Gwynedd Council, said he found the plans outrageous.

He said: “The response we have had from Gwynedd Council over this decision and to our concerns is completely unacceptable.

“Gwynedd Council are the ones with the responsibility to make our roads safe but they now want to pass the book to town and community councils. These types of services are their responsibilities and I’m disappointed that they are not even having a discussion with us over this.”

Cllr Richard Williams added: “I believe this idea from Gwynedd Council is bonkers, it is not fair to pass this kind of responsibility and cost over to the small councils.”

Cllr Jason Humphreys, who represents Porthmadog East on Gwynedd Council, also expressed concerns.

He said: “The danger is some people who depend on these bins being filled in the bad weather in December and January are going to suffer under these plans.

“We need to make enough noise about this as Gwynedd Council are the ones with the responsibility to keep our roads safe.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “This new arrangement will allow community and town councils to opt for increasing the number of salt bins in their area if required.

“For the last years, because of financial restraints, Gwynedd Council has been unable to increase the number of salt bins despite numerous requests from community councils.

“Every winter Gwynedd Council is responsible for gritting around 670 miles of priority routes throughout the county when cold and icy weather is forecast. This decision does not in any way impact upon this essential winter service.”