Concerns have been raised over changes to Powys County Council’s gritting routes which mean a road serving St Harmon will no longer be treated.

Reform UK member Iain McIntosh has urged the council to reconsider the decision after hearing concerns from villagers who fear leaving their only access road untreated could increase the risk of an accident during icy weather.

The council amended its gritting schedules in July, removing more than 200 miles of roads from its routes. A new grit bin has been provided for St Harmon, but Mr McIntosh said it is located more than a mile from the village.

He has raised concerns about the decision to remove the B4518 between Rhayader and Llanidloes from the gritting network.

He said the road would also be used by school buses carrying children to schools in Rhayader and Llanidloes, as well as ambulances transporting patients.

“I am very unhappy about their decision to exclude the B4518 between Rhayader and Llanidloes,” said Mr McIntosh

“This road serves the village of St Harmon and is well used not only by locals but also by many visitors to the area directed along it by their sat-navs.

“Record low temperatures have been recorded in this area in previous winters so we are facing a situation where this ungritted road will be used not just by people in cars but also by school buses taking children to schools in Rhayader and Llanidloes and also ambulances picking up people for appointments like dialysis.

“We cannot have a situation where a 52-seater bus loaded with children from our local communities is expected to travel along an icy, ungritted road in order to transport our children to school. Their safety is paramount and must come ahead of whatever savings will be made by scrapping the gritting of this particular stretch of Road.

“I have written to the council urging them to reverse this dangerous decision.”