A ROAD authority moved to reassure drivers that main routes have been gritted, after snow saw parts of the district grind to a halt yesterday.

The two inches of snow that fell overnight on Tuesday took Essex County Council by surprise and schools in Epping, Ongar, Waltham Abbey and North Weald were forced to close, while bus services were cancelled as roads were not gritted.

But council lorries were sent to spread two lots of grit over main roads, including A and B roads and access routes for emergency vehicles, last night.

Derrick Louis, the council's cabinet member for highways, said: "It was a bitterly cold night which has led to icy conditions this morning.

"Our gritters have treated the main road network, but please continue to travel carefully, especially on pavements and untreated roads.

"We are keeping a close eye on weather forecasts, and will continue to treat the network as required."