THREE York councillors have signed up to be part of the city’s team of snow wardens following cuts to its winter gritting network.

Chris Steward, George Barton and Paul Doughty, who represent the Rural West York, Wheldrake and Strensall wards respectively, have completed their training to be part of a squad of volunteers who clear away snow during bad weather, through a scheme set up by City of York Council.

The Conservative councillors said they decided to become wardens after the city’s winter gritting budget was reduced by £60,000, with Coun Doughty said: “I have been critical of the downgrading of gritting on a host of routes and removal of many salt bins, so I decided I should put my money where my mouth is.”

Coun Steward said he feared the gritting cuts would have “a very serious impact” on elderly and vulnerable people.