Nottingham braced for ice after heavy snowfall

Snow-covered roads are likely to turn to ice as temperatures plunge on Saturday evening. The Met Office is warning of dangerous driving conditions on routes through Nottinghamshire and has issued a severe weather warning. The chief forecaster said: "Northerly winds have followed Friday nights vigorous depression introducing much colder conditions. "Clear spells on Saturday evening and night will allow temperatures to fall sharply allowing widespread ice to readily form on untreated surfaces. "The most widespread ice is expected where melting snow cover refreezes and where showers occur." Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have confirmed they have already been out gritting main roads and some side roads, and will continue to do so overnight.

Gritting tonight, very cold with some roads reaching -3c in places. #Nottingham#grittertwitter Lots of water about to freeze, so take care!

— Gritting Nottingham (@nttmcitygrit) December 27, 2014

However, the authorities were criticised on Friday night after many routes became impassable.

What the hell has happened to gritters in #Nottingham. Could not get car up any hill to get home. Had to abandon and walk. Roads in chaos.

— Tanya (@tanyalouiseray) December 26, 2014

Where the hell are @Nottscc gritters? Absolute chaos on Nottingham roads and not seen one gritter or council van. #RemindmewhyIpaytaxagain?

— Jaynie (@Jaynie) December 26, 2014

Just got home from Mansfield took 3hours to get to carlton,unbelievable out there where we're the gritters shambles #Nottingham#snow

— andrew butters (@buttsboy) December 26, 2014

However, the county council said it had sent gritters out from 7pm and several times over the night. The city council also said it had sent out gritters during the evening.

After covering main routes twice last night, gritters have repeated twice again today. Night crew off again from 6pm #grittertwitter

— Nottinghamshire CC (@NottsCC) December 27, 2014

We are gritting - snow is early, and road surface temps are close to zero - stay safe. Stay "in" if you Can

— Gritting Nottingham (@nttmcitygrit) December 26, 2014