Plans by Durham County Council to reduce the amount spent gritting roads this winter could put lives at risk, say opponents.

The council says pressure to focus its services on the elderly and children is to blame for the �400,000 reduction in its winter road maintenance budget.

The result is that some roads will not be gritted in advance of cold weather.

Alex Watson, the leader of Derwentside District Council, said: "The geography of many areas in Derwentside makes for treacherous conditions, even with the previous gritting services there were accidents.

'Black ice'

"On the high ground there is freezing overnight rain which produces treacherous black ice."

The council says that despite the cutbacks, Durham is better served than many other parts of the country.

Spokeswoman for the Automobile Association, Denise Raven, said: "It is a pity when councils decide to cut back on essential maintenance of roads.

"Although we have not had particularly harsh winters recently, this can soon change."

The council has said its pre-salting programme covered 50% of its 2,200-miles network of roads.

The figure will be cut to 39%, which is more than the 26-38% range recommended by the Audit Commission.

The council said many known frost pockets are already provided with salt bins or salt heaps for drivers to use.