PLUNGING temperatures and settled snow have turned Epping into an ice rink, with pedestrians and motorists risking life and limb.

The overnight freeze has led to picturesque scenes across the area but brought misery to residents living at the bottom of steep hills.

According to residents living close to the junction of Hartland Road and Kendal Avenue at least four serious accidents have already taken place this morning (January 5) but when locals called the council to complain they were told that the route was not important enough to grit.

The explanantion baffled resident Marilyn Gamble, who awoke this morning to find her beloved car had been smashed into by an out of control driver.

Mr Gamble, who has lived in the road for the past 43 years said: “It’s the same story every winter, this route is a rat-run for commuters going to Epping station. We have crashed morning and evening when it gets icy- we’re expecting more problems tonight.”

At one point the situation became so bad that Mrs Gamble’s husband was forced to direct traffic in the road while tow trucks arrived to remove stricken vehicles.

Another local woman, who did not wish to be named said when she rang the Highway patrol she was told they were “too busy” to come and help- meanwhile in Kendal Avenue itself, unfazed by the council;’s apparent lack of action some community-minded soul had begun shovelling the snow themselves.

Many of the pavements on larger hills in Epping have been left untouched by any form of gritting, leading to several slips and falls.

Mrs Rosemary Parker from Epping High Road said the danger should not be underestimated.

She said: “I’ve slipped over once today but I wasn’t hurt, but its not as if i’m the only one. My friend fell over and grazed herself quite badly this morning.”

Mrs Parker fell on the corner of Theydon Grove, a steep and narrow road, whose pavement is under at least one inch of ice, making walking trecherous.

One resident of Theydon Grove, who did not wish to be named said she had been forced to walk in the road.

She said:”It’s madness, i’ve spoken to three or four people who have had accidents today, I even saw one lady pushing her baby in a buggy in the road, because the pavement was just too risky, all of this could be avoided with a bit of gritting or forward planning.”

* Have you fallen victim to the conditions? Call the newsdesk on 020 8498 3460