COUNCIL bosses have defended their gritting coverage after complaints by Star readers about the state of St Helens' roads following this morning's snow.

Snow started falling at about 7.30am and swiftly led to problems on the roads for commuters, particuarly in rush hour.

The Star fielded complaints from a number of readers about hazardous driving conditions and the delays they endured trying get to work by heading into or out of St Helens.

Rainford By-pass and Moss Bank Road were just some of the routes where readers complained of treacherous conditions.

At Kirkstone Avenue, Carr Mill there was a collision involving four cars.

However, a St Helens Council spokesman defended the local authority's operation.

He said: “Gritting teams began treating roads last night and have been out again since the early hours of this morning.

"So far over 120 tonnes of salt have been put on the borough’s roads.

“National recommendations are that councils should cover 25 per cent of their road network. So far we have managed to cover 48 per cent of St Helens roads – 350km of highway - including all the main trunk routes.

"This is despite high winds and rain, which have complicated the operation.

“We will continue to grit as many roads as we can until conditions improve.”

But David Johnson, of Rainford, was among the unhappy council taxpayers who felt they had been let down.

He copied the Star a letter of complaint he had directed to the council: "As a resident of Rainford and council tax payer to St Helens can you explain to me why it has just taken me 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to Manchester?

"Did anyone responsible for the road network see the weather reports last night?"

He accused the council of not treating the A570 Rainford By-pass, A580 East Lancs, the St Helens link road and the M62.

But the council has said it gritted all trunk roads and major routes.

Mr Johnson added: "The whole road network across St Helens was gridlocked due to your incompetence or inability to even grit the main roads!

Will there be any action for those responsible or is it just another cost saving exercise that will have resulted in more accidents and thousands of hours lost. Well done!!

"The sooner this sorry borough is amalgamated into Greater Liverpool the better. Maybe then we might get a county wide infrastructure in place that doesn't cause chaos when 4 cm of snow falls."

The winter weather came after drivers across the north were urged to take extra care by the Highways Agency.

Following Met Office warnings for sleet, snow and high winds across the north, the Highways Agency issued an Amber ‘be aware’ alert for snow lasting until 11am today (Thursday, January 29).

The alert has been issued with a Met Office forecast of snow showers spreading across the North West, Yorkshire and the North East tonight. 

The showers could become frequent in bands - with higher routes likely to have in excess of 10cm on the ground.

Combined with strong northerly winds gusting between 40mph and 50mph the snow showers could cause drifting in places – potentially leading to poor visibility, difficult driving conditions and traction issues for some vehicles.

The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, is strongly advising that journey times in a number of areas is likely to be extended with journeys possibly disrupted.

A statement read: "Road users should heed messages on overhead signs and listen for radio updates. Further information can be found by visiting www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

"Drivers should ensure they are prepared in the event of their journeys being disrupted by severe weather including wearing or packing suitable clothing and a winter driving kit.   Futher winter driving advice is available at www.highways.gov.uk/winter"