Council chiefs in snowy Oldham have hit back at criticism waged against their road gritting teams posted by residents on social media. The council's Facebook page gave regular updates as roads and schools were closed due to heavy snowfall and blizzard winds overnight.
Buses were also cancelled on a number of rural roads in the borough and on the M62 near Oldham, drivers were trapped for up to seven hours after snow drifts between a number of junctions. The council said all routes over the Pennines - the A640, A635, A62 - were shut by police after the 'significant snowfall' into Friday morning.
Bosses even revealed a number of stranded motorists who had attempted to get over the Pennines were helped in the early hours. One was taken back home to Delph and three others to a rest centre at the town hall where they were subsequently helped to plan their journeys back home and keep warm.
