Waltham Forest Council is to review its strategy for dealing with extreme cold weather.

Keith Hanshaw, the council's director of public realm, told a meeting of North Chingford Community Council the authority will look at the winter maintenance plan.

But he stressed residents can not expect every road and pavement to be gritted, as the council has to prioritise major routes.

He said: “The weather we have just had was unprecedented.

“The council has a winter maintenance plan and it prioritises key routes because we want to keep the borough moving.

“We are reviewing the plan, but it will not be possible to grit everywhere and we will prioritise.”

Resident Rose Tonkin said the fact pavements weren't cleared resulted in some people being trapped at home.

She said: “Roads for the buses were cleared, but roads for people who don't have transport were not cleared, nor were the pavements.

“This meant a large proportion of people could not get out of their houses.”

Mr Hanshaw said the council prioritised major routes, hilly through-roads and gritted pavements where there was high footfall, such as shopping areas, bus stops and train stations.

He said council had to cope with additional pressures, such as the Government's plan for salt distribution and Transport for London's plan for keeping routes clear.

Mr Hanshaw also said the sustained low temperatures and further bad weather created more problems for those trying to clear the borough's roads.

He said: “There was one day where we got caught out on the main routes because it rained for two hours and the rain washed away the grit.

"This brought not only Waltham Forest, but most of London and the south east to a standstill.

“Also, with the very cold temperatures, the grit just didn't work.”

Mr Hanshaw said anyone who experienced serious problems during the cold snap should contact the council on (020) 8496 3000 or email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk

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