MP calls for better gritting in Sheffield

Temperatures fell to -7C (19.4F) in some parts of South Yorkshire

A Sheffield MP has called on the city council to do more to clear ice and snow on minor roads and pavements as freezing temperatures continue.

Clive Betts said people in the south east of the city had complained to him that they felt they were being ignored.

Council leader Paul Scriven said extra resources had been ploughed into gritting the main and secondary routes.

About 15 schools across the county remain closed or partially closed because of the bad weather.

Mr Betts said more gritting needed to take place in the Halfway, Westfield and Mosborough areas of the city.

'Short-changed'

He said: "I have supported the policy of initially concentrating snow clearance and gritting on major roads and bus routes.

"However, I have received many complaints from local residents who feel they're being short changed, as they believe similar roads in the south-west of the city have been gritted, whilst the south-east, including Halfway, Westfield and Mosborough, appear to have almost been ignored."

Speaking to BBC's Look North, Mr Scriven said: "We can't do every road and pavement, but 60% of the road network is now moving and major routes in and out of the city and the secondary roads.

"Clearly side roads and some pavements have not been done but today we've had over 300 people from parks and other departments on gritting and over 60 vehicles out there."

He added: "Be absolutely certain that every person, every vehicle, every bit of money we have got is being put to this to make sure that Sheffield is on the move."

Elsewhere in the county, Rotherham council said it would only be gritting main roads and bus routes in an effort to conserve salt supplies.

The bad weather has also caused travel disruption with some bus services missing routes on minor roads.

The A57 Snake Pass at Glossop is closed both ways between Hurst Road and the A6101 Rivelin Valley Road because of snow.