RESIDENTS in Littlemoor say Dorset County Council does not realise they exist after striking them off the salting list.

They are calling on the authority to put them back on a list of Weymouth roads to be gritted after recent treacherous icy conditions caused chaos in the neighbourhood.

Littlemoor resident Jan Hinton said people in the Louviers and Canberra Road area could not get to school or work because of the hilly roads’ slippery surfaces.

She said: “The council don’t realise that we exist.

“It’s really annoying because this is a main bus route. In all the years I’ve lived here, the road has always been gritted.

“I don’t think the council should ignore us, everyone who tried to drive down the road had trouble.”

The route used to be salted by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council but is now overseen by Dorset County Council.

It is understood the number 2 bus route, which runs between Littlemoor and the town centre, was diverted away from Louviers Road because of the conditions.

No-one from the First bus company was available for comment.

Mrs Hinton said: “Buses couldn’t get through, school buses couldn’t get through.

“An ambulance car couldn’t get down Louviers Road and they had to move a car out of the way.

“People can’t move about and if they can’t get to a bus route the they’re going to be stranded.

“It’s a silly situation and we’re worried the council are going to forget us and leave us off the list.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillor Mark Tewkesbury, who represents Littlemoor, said he was only aware Louviers Road had been taken off the priority list when the snow fell.

He added: “It’s always been gritted before but we only found out it’s not gritted now because of this weather.

“In all the years I’ve lived here I’ve never seen anything like this. These roads have always been gritted for 20 years, it’s a dangerous, busy road.

“There were two accidents in Canberra Road – lots of people were having difficulty.

“I’d like people to contact me as their borough councillor if they’re not happy with this.”

Westham resident Michelle Taylor said a lack of salt on the road in her neighbourhood caused problems.

“I watched a car do a 360 degree spin and nearly hit another car.

“There were children playing and it was an accident waiting to happen,” she said.

* A COUNTY council spokesman said the network of roads to be salted before this winter was reviewed and it was decided to focus on the 25 per cent of roads used by 80 per cent of traffic.

He added: “With 2,500 miles of road in the county, it is not possible with our resources to treat every mile.

“These routes are not part of the network as they do not meet the criteria. However, the network is constantly under review and we will take all reports of problems into consideration.”