Drivers across Liverpool are complaining of "dangerous" icy conditions of the roads.
Yesterday a snow and ice weather warning was issued for Merseyside, with the region experiencing wintry showers. This morning motorists have been met with icy roads, leading to multiple crashes, road closures and heavy traffic.
Liverpool ECHO readers are complaining about south Liverpool in particular, with "chaos" being reported on Smithdown Road and Penny Lane, to name a few. Leader of the Lib Dems and opposition in Liverpool, councillor Richard Kemp said: "Both approaches to the Penny Lane Bridge are basically glassed over and nigh on impossible to get over.
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"This has pushed congestion on to the side roads as people try to avoid the congestion The road is so dangerous that we must either cut it off completely or arrange regular salting and gritting to try and minimise the problems."
He advised people to stick to the main roads whilst the freeze continues. "I know that is tempting to try and avoid congestion by moving onto side roads, but these have not been gritted at all and are in an even worse condition. Please do not travel by car unless you need to and do not travel at all in this weather unless you absolutely have to.
He added: "I know that there have been problems with the gritting service which I am asking questions about and will raise them in a Council Select Committee this evening, but it does appear that we have been caught out by a second fall of snow and a major drop in temperature which has seen even the main roads unsafe. Sometimes the weather will always beat us but I will be looking at the Council has used its resources to maximum effect given the fairly accurate weather forecasts that we get these days."
On social media, many Liverpool residents have taken to Twitter to complain about the lack of grit on the roads. Claire @cfitz83 said: "Thanks for endangering lives this morning by not making the roads safe Liverpool council #wheresthegrit ?! Smithdown Road is a disaster area."
Another @paulaaprilmunn added: "Just came here to say the same. Roads in South Liverpool dangerous. No gritters at all. Accidents everywhere." While a third @rosemeyer1939 said: "Those roads are wild out there. I know there's a limit to what can be done but Smithdown road / Woolton road looked completely ungritted. Hard, packed down ice. There'll be murder on them roads if it stays cold today."
A spokesperson for Liverpool council said: "We're aware the morning commute has been difficult due to icy conditions. Gritters were out till 9pm and again this morning. Quad bikes also sprayed the city centre from 10pm. However, localised showers turning to ice caused an issue. Please take care."
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