WHILE it is good to see roads being gritted in anticipation of freezing temperatures, surely we do not really want glass spreading on our roads and public highways.

When out canvassing in the Woodthorpe area at the weekend, I was alarmed to see broken glass all over most roads and footpaths.

My initial concern for the residents of the area was compounded by the realisation that this widespread hazard was not due to littering or vandalism, but had been spread on the streets and footpaths in the grit that had been laid to make the streets safer.

An area for concern was that the grit surrounding Woodthorpe Primary School seemed to be contaminated with green glass. I just hope that none of the children attending that school or other residents of the area fell foul of this extra hazard. Glass in grit? A hazard for all and a widespread one in Woodthorpe.

Ben Tanguay, Labour candidate for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Garden Court, York.

Martin Horner, City of York Council’s head of civil engineering, said: “In mid-December, as part of our gritting programme, we were sent a delivery of sand containing recycled glass – this material is often used for mixing cement and bedding paving slabs.

“This sand was spread on pavements in the Woodthorpe area. As soon as we were made aware of the nature of its glass content, we withdrew the load and returned it to the supplier.

“We have nearly finished sweeping up the glass, but in hard frosts it can stick to the paving so opportunities have been limited. Very small fragments are likely to remain, but should not be a safety hazard.”