A heartbroken husband whose wife died after slipping on ice said her death "destroyed" him - and claims the tragedy could have been avoided if the street had been gritted.
Brian Charleson, from Bootle told the ECHO his wife slipped on Park Street in Bootle in January 2019, leaving her with a broken hip.
After seven months in hospital, 59-year-old Jean died in August 2019 after suffering from complications.
Speaking to the ECHO, Mr Charleson said: "Jean slipped on some ice in January 2019 and I got a phone call to come down to Park Street.
"She was laying there and we had to wait an hour and half for an ambulance.
"I took off my coat to get some warmth on her, she was in hospital for seven months and I had to take time off work to look after her.
"She had broken her hip and died in August 2019 after complications.
"I've lost so much, all for a bit of grit."
The Bootle resident believes the street should have been gritted by the council as it is on a main bus route, on a hill and close to amenities lots of people visit, such as the two GP surgeries.
He added: "The street is on a bus route, there are two GP surgeries, sheltered accommodation and lots of older people live there.
"It needs to be gritted. I asked the council if it was due to cut backs and they replied it wasn't.
"There were people slipping and falling all around her."
Mr Charleson claims he spoke to Sefton Council about why the street was not gritted but claims the local authority said it did not need to be.
The Bootle man said he met his wife when they were in school and would have celebrated their 40th anniversary this August.
The 59-year-old said the loss of his wife "destroyed him" and at one point his mental health was so poor he was sectioned after a suicide attempt.
He said: "It destroyed me. I lost my sister, my wife and then my job."
Mr Charleson said he had also sought advice from a union solicitor and his local MP.
A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs Charleson's family at this difficult time.
"During periods of bad weather our Highways teams grit over 470km of carriageway and major streets throughout the borough as part of our Winter Service Policy.
"In accordance with national guidelines, priority must be given to major carriageways and footways.
"It is not possible for the council to grit every road and footway.
"Sefton Council works closely with a number of partners to offer wellbeing support services for residents in the borough and we would encourage anybody who needs help to contact any of the organisations below
- Living Well Sefton (0300 323 0181)
- Reach Men's Centre
- Samaritans (116 123)"
