Motorists warned over icy roads

Snow has fallen in parts of Lancashire and Greater Manchester

Motorists are being urged to take extra care on roads in parts of Lancashire and Greater Manchester after temperatures plunged overnight.

Some minor roads were covered with snow and ice on Monday with temperatures dropping to -9C in some areas.

Gritting lorries have been out on all motorways and A roads but the Highways Agency warned there was still a chance of treacherous conditions.

Temperatures were not expected to rise much above freezing on Monday.

Roads were expected to be busy as people returned to work and many schools reopened after the Christmas break.

However, a number of schools in Lancashire and Greater Manchester have been closed because of the conditions.

Mark Powell, of the Highways Agency, said the region's main roads were clear on Monday morning.

At the moment we have enough grit.

Rick Hayton, Lancashire County Council

"Up to now we are looking OK but it is extremely cold at the minute and although we have gritted all of the motorways and the A roads, there is still the chance of treacherous conditions," said Mr Powell.

"So it is very important that people setting out on their first day back drive carefully."

In Lancashire about 50 gritting vehicles were out throughout the night and 150 staff are working on rotation, the county council said.

Assistant Director of Highways, Rick Hayton, said: "At the moment we have enough grit.

Gritting lorries have been clearing motorways and A roads

"Because we are having to prioritise it, and because we've got people who are prepared to go out in the middle of the night in all conditions to assess the roads, we're making sure that we use what grit we have in the most effective way we can.

"What that does mean, however, is that we're not as able to be as proactive as we would otherwise be in filling grit bins and helping with some of the more local issues."

In Greater Manchester the regional transport authority warned bus passengers of delays and suspensions to some services because of the icy conditions.

Passengers intending to travel are advised to check the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) website.

Salt delivery

One of the worst-affected areas has been Oldham, in Greater Manchester, which also had heavy snowfall across the weekend.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Oldham Council's member for environment and infrastructure, said the area had some of its worst snow storms for 20 years.

"Throughout this freezing weather council gritting teams are working 24-hour shifts on some of the hilliest and highest roads in the country, including the notorious trans-pennine routes.

"The teams have been working 24/7 over the weekend. Since the snow started again on Friday the crews have used over 900 tonnes of gritting salt on keeping the primary routes open."

A further 2,000 tonnes of gritting salt is being delivered to the council later this week.