THE NHS has given a council £1m to pay for extra winter gritting to help cut the number of injured people it has to treat.

Durham County Council was criticised over its road gritting last winter, with complaints about roads left untreated and pavements and paths that were a hazard to walk on.

This year the Labour-run authority has received £1m from the NHS – to reduce the cost of treating people hurt in road accidents or who slip on icy surfaces – and is pledging to grit an extra 57km of bus routes.

Councillor Bob Young said: “Last winter was tougher than ever, with severe spells of cold and snow putting huge demands on our services.

“This, in turn, raised concerns and increased requests for us to broaden the number of routes gritted.

“There is real determination to keep the county moving whatever the weather.’’ The council also said it would improve the information it provides when bad weather strikes.

Durham City Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods criticised the council last winter after she received several complaints from constituents about gritting.

She suggested the council seek the NHS funding and said she hoped the council responded better this winter, saying: “They really need to think about people’s safety.”