A REQUEST for an army of wardens to help clear the town’s main streets during heavy snowstorms which was turned down by Barnsley Council should be re-looked at following the chaos caused by bad weather earlier this month, according to a councillor.

The Liberal Democrats put forward a budget request for snow wardens in 2021 as a potential additional resource when needed.

It was hoped Barnsley would follow examples in Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield and Kirklees, who all run successful schemes during the winter, but the move was turned down.

Coun Leyla Nayeri, who represents the Darton East ward, said the ‘invaluable’ scheme would have helped residents and commuters and called for more to be done.

“It has been impressive the way both Rotherham and Wakefield councils managed to clear the vast majority of snow from both highways and pavements,” she told the Chronicle.

“This additional resource to an already stretched highways team would have provided invaluable support to the whole community, but in particular our most vulnerable residents, who are the most hard hit during adverse weather.

“Keeping both minor and major roads moving, giving access to schools and hospitals, is key.

“I visited Rotherham and was shocked by the lack of snow and how accessible it was, unlike Barnsley.

“We should not be subject to confinement due to adverse weather, especially when we have had notice that this would happen.

“It is simply not good enough if only the request four years ago had been listened to, imagine the difference that would have made.”