Concerns over grit in shopping precinct

People out and about in Dereham's shopping centre this week expressed concerns that the walkway surface and car parks had not been gritted and shoppers risked slipping over and injuring themselves.

People out and about in Dereham's shopping centre this week expressed concerns that the walkway surface and car parks had not been gritted and shoppers risked slipping over and injuring themselves.

One office worker suffered a nasty fall as she crossed the centre on her way to work.

But Nigel Sizeland, manager of the privately-owned complex close to Dereham High Street, said the unexpected cold spell meant that his 45 bags of grit had been used and he was initially unable to get any more stocks.

He later said he was able to get more supplies but they were costing more than usual.

Shoppers Tony and Joyce Finn said they were out in the centre at midday yesterday on Monday and the surface of the walkways, particularly the car park, was 'like glass'.

'The centre manager told us that he had used up all his 45 bags of grit and I was concerned about people slipping on the untreated surface and injuring themselves,' said Mrs Finn.

She added: 'People are forced to walk on the edge of the pedestrianised walkways because of the conditions. If the manager's supplies had run out, couldn't the Breckland Council have helped out in an emergency like this?' she said.