Locals unhappy with snow removal in Rēzekne

Take note – story published 5 years ago

The Clean R company has been contracted to clear snow and ice from Rēzekne's streets for the past three years. Both locals and municipal officials are, however, often unhappy with the work Clean R are doing, with slushy and slippery sidewalks apparently the norm across the city, often called the "capital of Latgale". 

The company was fined €3,600 last year for doing a sub-par cleaning job, and by now it's clear they'll be fined this year as well as after heavy snowfall the city streets were left in a dangerous condition for a long time, reports Latvian Radio January 24.

"It's sometimes clean. Sometimes less so. It depends on the weather. Sometimes as I was walking I thought I might slip and fall," a local told Latvian Radio.

"It's not clean. It's slippery. But it has been the same for years upon years, all the time we've been living here," another local ventured to say.

Angered locals have been publishing videos and photos online, and the city council has reacted.

"We're writing protocols. There have been reproofs, and fines will follow," said Rēzekne mayor Aleksandrs Bartaševičs.

"There are many objections to the way they work...Clean R are removing the snow, but a layer of ice remains. In that case they have to use sand," said Bartaševičs. 

Meanwhile the company says, as it did last year, that it can't manage due to heavy snowfall.

"Late 2018 and early 2019 is snowy. It can be felt in Rēzekne. The snow cover is in some places as thick as 30 cm. It is not always so that it stops snowing at night, in which case we could clean the streets by eight a.m.," said Clean R representative Ģirts Baltrums.

About 40 to 45 street sweepers are working in the city, in addition to nine snowplow-equipped transport. 

The municipality's contract with Clean R runs out February 12. The city has already issued a new tender for clearing the streets over three years. The contract is worth €3 million. The previous tender which Clean R won is worth more than €1.78m.

Rēzekne mayor said the sum is greater because of larger work volumes.

"The main thing we want is clean streets by 8 a.m. I hope not just Clean R but Rēzeknes namsaimnieks will also apply for the tender. I know for a fact that another company is also looking into it," said Bartaševičs.

Companies are to apply by January 29. Despite the criticism leveled at the company, Clean R wants to continue cleaning Rēzekne's streets. 

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important