It follows protests that highway authorities did too little too late one afternoon last month when sudden falls of heavy snow triggered travel chaos in parts of the country.

Afterwards the Highways Agency promised there would not be a repeat of the "atrocious conditions", which saw some drivers being stuck in their cars for more than 10 hours.

We shall introduce a duty for a highway authority to remove ice when a suitable legislative opportunity presents itself Lord Macdonald, government transport spokesman

The government has now stepped in with plans to pass legislation to put councils under a new statutory obligation to deal with the roads under severe weather conditions.

The move was announced through the House of Lords.

Cabinet Office Minister and Transport Spokesman Lord Macdonald of Tradeston was pressed by Liberal Democrat Lord Lester of Herne Hill to require councils in England and Wales to grit roads promptly, when necessary.

Lord Macdonald told him in a written reply: "We shall introduce a duty for a highway authority to remove ice when a suitable legislative opportunity presents itself."

The minister gave no indication whether the change would be made through the Local Government Bill, which is currently in committee stage in the Commons.

Budget cuts

Thousands of motorists got caught up in heavy snowfall in the south-east last month - with the M11 in Hertfordshire and the A14 in Cambridgeshire worst affected.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling responded to the chaos by demanding the road, rail and local authorities explain why they had not been prepared for freezing weather in the middle of winter.

He warned then that the government would bring forward legislation requiring councils to grit the roads.

The Highways Agency said heavy traffic prevented its teams from properly spreading grit on the M11.

The agency is responsible for motorways and major roads, while local councils are responsible for minor routes.

Durham County Council is one local authority that has been forced to cut its gritting budget this year - by �400,000 - to make savings.

Other councils have faced similar decisions on whether it is essential to send out gritters as they struggle with their finances.