Gritters out in force across Manchester

Gritters have been out in force across Manchester as the cold spell continues.

A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "Eight gritters have been out gritting the main arterial and A roads last night and first thing this morning. The gritters have refilled their stocks and are out on the roads again this afternoon because the weather forecast from the Met office has predicted two to five centimetres of snow in the Manchester area subsiding later in the afternoon.

"We have used approximately 800 tonnes of salt in the last four days with 1,300 tonnes being used over the last week. Stocks are being replenished tomorrow (Wednesday 23 December) and we will continue to replenish the salt stocks over the Christmas period.

"The main footpaths in the city centre and district centres throughout Manchester have been gritted during the last 24 hours. Due to the adverse weather conditions predicted by the Met officer further gritting will take place over the next 24 hours until the severe weather subsides. We would, of course, urge drivers and pedestrians to take care when walking and driving."