RAIN on thick ice made Huddersfield roads almost impassable – but Kirklees Council’s grit stocks have just lasted out to the thaw.

Armitage Bridge Road was closed yesterday, and Examiner readers reported their streets becoming virtual ice rinks in the thaw, and expressed concerns that while the gritting wagons seem to be doing the rounds they are dropping precious little salt.

The council says it has stocks to cover the weekend, but weather experts say temperatures will now become milder prompting safer conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

One resident at New Road, Kirkheaton, yesterday reported a final day of major problems.

She said: “Three cars crashed at around 8.30am yesterday, one car started skidding and two others braked when they saw him, but they slid too.

“Our concern was there is a school and playgroup on this road.

“Obviously there is a shortage of grit that the country has to cope with, but the council seemed to be paying lip service by sending around vans with very little grit in them. A lot of us saw one of them come up the road, but it barely dropped anything.

“The problem is made worse when you take into account the speed bumps because they are very hard to get over when they are icy.”

She added: “I watched Clr (Mehboob) Khan on TV on Wednesday saying the bus routes had been gritted, but this one hadn’t.”

Drivers on Armitage Bridge Road were faced with nightmare conditions before the decision was made to close it.

One said: “At the Netherton end it was completely foul, nobody could get up or down, I managed halfway and then slid sideways.

“It was no good using your handbrake as cars had begun slithering down and there were plenty of bumps.

“I heard a terrific bang behind me as a car went into a van.”

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “I had a meeting yesterday with Transport Minister Lord Adonis at Westminster regarding the roads issue.

“I made the very strong point that we in Kirklees have a unique situation with our topography, of the Pennine hills, and the bitterly cold weather we have been having.

“I made what I believe was a very strong case to get extra supplies of grit and salt.

“We have endured some very cold weather for the past three weeks and we need extra supplies.

“Lord Adonis agreed we had a case and he promised to consider it.

“I have also spoken to Clr Mehboob Khan and he is putting pressure on to get more supplies.”

In reference to the accusation gritters were not actually spreading, a spokesman for the council said it would have been on its way to get reloaded or heading to another route.

He added: “We have enough grit for this weekend and there is also a mutual aid agreement in place with neighbouring councils and the Highways Agency so that we can receive more if or when needed.

“The police requested that Armitage Bridge Road be closed, but the council went out to treat it and the road reopened in the afternoon.”