DALES roads are likely to remain unsalted this winter as the county council looks for £400,000-worth of savings from its winter maintenance budget.

The message was heard with dismay by members of Teesdale District Council policy committee on Wednesday, when the plan was outlined by community services director Peter Slack.

He told of a drastic reduction in services on which the district council had not been consulted, although it had carried out the winter maintenance in Barnard Castle and Startforth while acting as agent for the county council for many years.

"It will have no financial effect on this council," said Mr Slack, but he believed there would inevitably be complaints that were outside the district council's remit.

Coun Robin Simpson was concerned about the outlying villages of Stainton and Stainton Grove. He also reported Coun Phil Hughes' fears about Boldron. "These are commuter villages and we are obviously concerned about these proposals."

What remains of the route covered by the district council will be given to a private contractor.

Although not present at the meeting, Coun Margaret Hamilton wanted the county to look at other ways of finding the cash.

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