An angry commuter has hit out at Colchester Council for failing to grit a road.

David Blackmore, who travels to London everyday, said that by not tackling icy conditions in Three Crowns Road, it is adding to traffic chaos in the town centre.

Motorists have spent hours trapped in their cars in the recent cold snap as traffic has ground to a halt in Colchester due to the snowy conditions.

But Mr Blackmore, who is a former Colchester councillor himself, said by not gritting Three Crowns Road, one of just two exits from Colchester North Station, it is forcing drivers to cause more havoc on North Station roundabout.

He said: "I'm horrified nothing has been done. It's like an ice rink. I almost saw a bad accident down there but if someone were to brake heavily, they wouldn't stand a chance."

Norman Hicks, the council's highways network manager, said they now recognised it is an area that should be salted and they would send a mini-salter van immediately.

Published Friday January 30, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette