Sunderland drivers advised to 'let gritters through' following heavy snowfall

Parts of roads such as the A690, A19 and A1 have been brought to a near standstill this morning due to severe weather overnight.

The snow is expected to continue to fall throughout today and tomorrow.

As a result almost all schools have been closed for the day, while bin and recycling collections have been suspended today.

Councillor Michael Mordey, portfolio holder for city services, Sunderland City Council, said: "Major roads are the council's priority so public transport, commuter traffic and business can keep moving.

"Let the gritters through – treat them as emergency vehicles and let them pass.

"Gritters have continued treating major roads as snow fell throughout the night and crews have been working round the clock since the weekend.

"Winds also picked up overnight causing drifting.

"Traffic movements slowed across the city during this morning’s blizzard conditions and slowed down gritters as they ploughed off snow.

"Staff are also clearing snow and ice in shopping centres and other busy areas.

"Refuse and recycling collections have been suspended today."

In County Durham, gritters have been out ploughing and salting priority one routes through the night and will continue to work through the day as required.

However, motorists are advised only to travel if necessary, with a number of roads around the county closed.

John Reed, County Durham Council's head of technical services, said: “We are experiencing very challenging conditions throughout the county particularly on untreated roads.

“Our gritting crews are working extremely hard across priority one routes and we have also called in extra resources

“However, with temperatures expected to remain below freezing throughout the day we would strongly advise people only to travel if necessary.”

The heavy snowfall is making it particularly difficult for refuse and recycling crews to carry out collections around the county.

Residents are advised to put their bins out as normal.

Anyone whose bin is not emptied is asked to leave it out so that it can be collected over the coming days.

Telephone contact centres are operating as normal and all Customer Access Points are open but some are offering a reduced service.

However, anyone intending to access council services, including Customer Access Points, leisure centres and libraries is advised to telephone in advance to ensure that services are operating.