THIS was the chilling sight greeting people trying to walk down Stroud Green Road today (Thursday) – after bungling council officials cleared one side of the road but left the other covered in slippery snow and ice.

Stroud Green Road in Finsbury Park lies on the border of Haringey and Islington.

But while Haringey Council had made sure that its side of the pavement was clear by the time people ventured out this morning, Islington Council left its side covered in dangerously slippery snow.

Peter Carter, who lives in Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, and is also school premises manager at Greig City Academy, in High Street, Hornsey, said: “I was walking to work this morning and it was totally clear on the Haringey side of the street but on the Islington side there was nothing but snow and ice. I nearly broke my neck.

“The only bit that was clear on the Islington side was outside Sainsbury’s and they must have cleared that themselves.

“It’s unbelievable really - or it would be if it wasn’t so predictable. Islington never grits the road until after the event. They knew it was going to snow but they obviously didn’t act.

“Haringey Council is always sweeping up leaves and stuff like that while Islington seems to drag its feet.

“It makes for a pretty embarrassing picture in the snow though.”

Retired hospital worker Sylvia Kitanos, 71, of Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park, was also forced to brave the treacherous Islington side in order to catch her bus.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. Whatever council it is, people still have to walk down the pavement.

“If people break their necks, it will be down to Islington. It’s very slippery and people like me, with dodgy knees, could easily slip over.”

Haringey Council said that Stroud Green Road’s pavements had been designated a priority one thoroughfare and as such had been gritted yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon and again overnight.

Councillor Nilgun Canver, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Our gritting teams have been working hard over several nights ensuring all major roads remain open and that busy pavements and pathways are accessible.”

Islington Council said it had sent round a gritting team to Stroud Green Road today after being alerted to the problem.

Councillor Paul Smith, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “The council has been pre-gritting Islington roads according to plan but in this weather, conditions can change in a few hours, so as soon as we were told of a problem we sent a team out to Stroud Green Road straight away to clear the street.

“We are on the side of residents and if they tell about problems, we will sort them as soon as possible.”