‘We’ll keep working to clear roads’

in high elevation areas that are not part of the normal gritting network, and supporting the vulnerable and those of limited means.

In the most severe conditions the council operates with 4x4 support to keep roads passable.

Despite the council providing 1,800 grit bins across the borough there were concerns that not enough were available and that they were sited in the wrong places to deal with problem roads.

Clr Mus Khan revealed that the bins can be moved to feed demand but appealed to residents to use grit sensibly.

“Grit bins are for the roads and not for personal use, unfortunately. We have to get that message across,” she said.

In the same meeting councillors agreed to adopt a new highways code of practice to manage the borough’s 1,900km of predominantly urban roads.

Described as the council’s most valuable asset, the gross replacement cost of highway infrastructure – roads – is estimated to be £4.6bn and the depreciation at £0.65m.

Councillors said adopting the code, which also applies to Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield and York, will help the authority effectively manage and maintain its road network.

The Well-managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice was published by the UK Roads Liaison Group in 2016. It is being rolled out nationally and is described as “a guide to deliver an effectively managed and maintained network”.

Clr Mather described it as “an important issue for residents”.