Western Isles councillors have hit out at the failure to grit icy roads in the early morning just three months after voting for the policy.
Numerous councillors are now unhappy at the changes they introduced in November which means that many school buses are carrying young children over untreated snow covered routes.
At today’s transportation committee Harris councillor Morag Munro warned gritting policy was "not working" and moved a motion to send gritting lorries out an hour early.
However, she needs the backing of 75% of her colleagues just to relook at the new policy which was partly designed to tackle last year’s £1 million overspend.
She conceded to wait three weeks for a report examining the issue.
Mrs Munro pointed out that elderly folk were vulnerable because some home helps had to make hard choices between driving on hazardous untreated roads and leaving pensioners without care.
She said the east of Harris and Pairc had “dangerous winding roads” many without footpaths which were not safe under snow.
Point councillor Norman Macleod said the classification of priority roads was “an error” and highlighted there had been a spate of accidents during freezing conditions in December.
Council solicitor Lesley Macdonald pointed out there may be legal issues in reviewing the policy particularly since long term contracts were just put in place.
Chief executive Malcolm Burr said: “We have agreed a policy and by law we must stick to that policy.”
He confirmed police have powers to close roads deemed hazardous by winter conditions.
Mr Burr pointed out that councils do not have a duty to keep roads clear of snow and open at all times.
Anger at lack of early morning gritting 8/2/12
Some roads were too icy even for gritters