TREACHEROUS weather conditions were continuing to hamper drivers and pedestrians across south Manchester.
Days of snow have formed slush and ice, and the roads and pavements are being continually covered as snow continues to fall.
One primary school in Northenden have sent children home early on their last day of term.
A spokesperson for the council told the Reporter that there were eight gritting lorries in operation day and night, gritting the main arterial routes and A roads. Some footpaths are also being treated.
The council has so far used 800 tonnes of salt, and 1,300 tonnes in the past week.
Some of our readers have told us of conditions in their areas.
Reverend Forster, rector of St Wilfrid's Church in Northenden, said: “It's been snowing very heavily but the sun has just come out so it's quite bright.
“In the village where there's a lot of traffic, the roads are quite clear but the side roads are quite slippery.
“St Wilfrid's Primary was meant to finish at the end of the day today, but we've decided to close early to make sure the children get home ok.”
Rehana Mirza, co-manager of Hart Road Post Office in Fallowfield, said: “It's dreadful. The roads were gritted a few days ago but they've been covered with snow again. It's difficult for drivers and our customers.”
Don Berry, headteacher of St Paul's Primary School in Withington and lives on Rathen Road. He said: “Wilmslow Road is ok as it's been gritted, but side roads like ours have thick snow. I'm staying in but I imagine it would be quite difficult to drive.”
Dina Bissiney, of Didsbury Travel Worldchoice on Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, said: “It's terrible. The roads are all slushy and on the pavements there is thick snow.
“Cars are going so slowly, which is better than speeding of course, but it looks like they're having trouble driving.
“It is pretty to look at around the library, though.”
A mile or so away, in West Didsbury, Arlely Avenue resident Nicola Carton said: “It's been snowing all day and it's now very skiddy.
“I haven't been out in the car, but you can see that most people are walking rather than driving.”
Diane Bennell, who works at Burnage Library, said: “It's horrendous. Burnage Lane has very slow moving traffic and the gritters haven't been out here this morning.
“Some cars are sliding about and it's quite treacherous for elderly people walking about.”
Jamie McMullan, of Fireplace Warehouse in Levenshulme said: “Stockport Road is very slushy, but the side roads are all completely snowed and iced over – you can't see any road markings or where the pavement is.”
Tamim Estwani, of the British Muslim Heritage Centre on Colllege Road, Whalley Range said: “It's very snowy and really difficult to drive.”
And Martin Hanbury, who lives on Corkland Road, Chorlton, said: “It's pretty bad, I'd say several inches of snow have fallen in the past 24 hours and our road is completely white – you wouldn't know it was meant to be a road.
“Some of the roads are getting quite rutted with ice tracks being made.”
MANCHESTER City Council has confirmed that it will continue to grit the roads due to wintry conditions.
A spokesman said: "We are carrying out an on-going gritting programme based on Met Office forecasts. Flurries of snow are forecast later today and our gritters will be out. All roads on our priority routes have been gritted.
"The main footpaths in the city centre and district centres throughout Manchester have also been treated and further gritting will take place until the severe weather subsides. "
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