A TOWN council has refused to take on gritting duties over fears about injury claims from the public.

Buckinghamshire County Council has agreed to transfer some duties to Princes Risborough Town Council and pay them £15,000 a year.

But town councillors rejected the offer of including the functions of snow clearance and the hand gritting of footways in their new duties over worries about insurance claims.

Its new duties include the cleaning of road signs, serving hedge cutting notices and trimming of vegetation obstructing pavements and footpaths.

Chairman Alan Turner said: “It Is worth pointing out we are not expected to exceed that £15,000. In other words work is done to £15,000 and that is all we are expected to do.”

He added: “I would suggest where we have had requests they take priority at the top of the list.”

All councillors present at the meeting voted in favour of accepting the contract for devolved services.