Formby firm which grits Sefton’s roads has been praised for its exemplary performance

Jan 27 2010 by John Siddle, Formby Times

THE Formby firm which gritted Sefton’s roads during the Big Freeze has been praised for its “exceptional performance”.

Graysons Highways and Environmental Services undertook 35 209-mile salt runs, treating 35%of the borough’s road network as wintry weather bombarded the area.

In a council report discussing the impact of the weather, assistant director Stuart Waldron called the Pasture Lane business’s performance “exemplary”.

He said: “The contractor has been 100% reliable and has also offered to assist residents on a individual basis at their own expense as a gesture of public service and commitment to Sefton.

“Despite everything that the weather and officers have thrown at the contractor, they have always responded on time, without fail, and have provided the service both professionally and with 100% reliability.

“They have continuously proved to be exceptional in their service provision.”

Peter Knowlson, team supervisor at Grayson’s admitted the weather had presented a difficult challenge but said the firm, which has a pool of 20 workers using eight gritters, had risen to the task.

He said: “I’ve been doing this for six years now and what I would say is I’ve never known it quite like it has been.

“We had two or three weeks of appalling weather, which in parts was almost constant.

“But the lads have really stepped up to the plate to deal with what was a real challenge and it’s great to get the recognition from the council.”