A popular Perth walking spot has become an “ice rink” because council workers have failed to grit the paths, it has been claimed.
Perth and Kinross Council has been criticised after a thick layer of ice built up at the North Inch following recent frost and snow.
While paths in the city centre have been gritted, those at the park which attracts hundreds of dog walkers, joggers and cyclists every day remain untouched, resulting in a treacherous surface.
One person using the path on Monday said: “The ice is at least half an inch thick in places and none of it has been cleared; it’s like an ice rink.
“Despite attempting to be careful, I slipped several times while walking towards town and on one occasion I went my length on the concrete.
“I’ve now got a pretty spectacular, purple bruise on my right hip.
“It’s ridiculous that despite it being a major walking route into Perth city centre, no one has thought it’s worth gritting.”
Louis Flood, chairman of the North Inch Community Council, said he was “concerned” by the lack of gritting.
He said: “I realise there are other priorities but it’s very icy out there and I am concerned.
“It’s a popular area and a busy thoroughfare, and the more people that walk on it, the worse it gets, as the snow is compacted. I have no idea of the logistics but you would have thought that it wouldn’t take too long to take one of the buggies round with some grit.”
City centre councillor Alexander Stewart called on the council to consider making the route a higher priority.
He said: “I appreciate that we have priority routes but something like the North Inch should have some sort of priority. We are in the middle of a cold snap but it was anticipated.
“The council is trying to encourage people to leave the car at home and walk and if people live in that part of town it’s an opportunity to get out for fresh air but with the icy surfaces, it’s not good.
“The (gritting) system needs to be changed.”
A council spokeswoman said the path has to take its place in the list of priorities.
“Perth and Kinross Council prioritises the routes it is responsible for gritting during icy conditions,” she said. “The main priorities for the council are carriageways and those areas with the highest footfall, such as Perth city centre.
“Unfortunately, in times of widespread icy conditions like today, all available resources are fully committed to treating the priority network.”