Council leaders say gritting teams have been battling with ‘difficult circumstances’ on North Staffordshire’s roads after heavy rain turned into snow. Motorists were caught up in long delays all across the area this morning after snow moved in during the early hours.
It resulted in key roads such as the Buxton Road between Leek and Buxton being closed while at its worst 20 lorries were said to have got stuck on Newcastle Road through Loggerheads due to the snowy conditions.
However as the morning progressed more routes have succumbed to flooding such as the A520 between Rough Close and Oulton and the A522 in Beamhurst. But Staffordshire County Council has defended how it’s worked to keep the roads moving.
Council leader Alan White told BBC Radio Stoke that the heavy rain which moved in late yesterday afternoon washed away the grit. In response teams have continued to battle ‘difficult circumstances’ on Staffordshire’s road network.
Snow ploughs in action in Flash
Speaking to Lee Blakeman during the breakfast show, Mr White said: “I have been travelling this morning and there’s a lot of standing water on the roads. But as far as the snow is concerned just bare in mind that the gritters have been doing their best.
“It’s been raining and washing some of the grit away. Then there have been really heavy flurries of snow which have been lying on wet roads. So for the teams that are trying to keep the roads clear, for them it’s been a very difficult set of circumstances where they are trying to grit and the grit’s getting washed away. The snow has been coming down heavily, so they are going again.
“There are farmers and hill contractors helping us out clearing the roads around Leek. The roads are difficult, and it’s difficult for the teams – but they are doing their best. The combination of snow, water, and cold makes slippery conditions.
The A53 near the Roaches
“Our teams will continue to grit and everyone is doing their best.”
Temperatures are set to fall tonight in North Staffordshire and drop below freezing with sleet forecast for the early evening – with a chance of lighter snow flurries at around 8pm. But the Moorlands could see snow for much of tomorrow – and become heavy at times.
Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: “The gritting teams worked through the night again on Sunday, with more snow falling in the early hours of Monday. They have done a tremendous job over the last few days to keep the roads clear across Staffordshire and will be busy this week with freezing night temperatures forecast. As the snow melts, we expect some surface water on the roads to would ask people to drive with extra care and do not attempt to drive through flood water.”
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