THE priorities for winter gritting in part of North Yorkshire have been set out by a senior councillor.

The comments from Michael Newby, cabinet member for public works at Harrogate Borough Council, follow calls from a large number of residents asking why their roads had not been gritted.

The council said the "latest incidence of icy roads" before Christmas had caught many drivers unawares.

Coun Newby said: "We provide the winter gritting service in the urban areas of Harrogate and Knaresborough on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council.

"The rest of our district is dealt with directly by the county council.

"The first priority for treatment is the classified A and B roads. The second priority routes consist of bus routes, main estate roads and other streets serving important public locations, such as hospitals and schools.

"Main shopping areas and main footways into the town centres will be given first priority among footways. Other roads and footways will be treated during prolonged spells of extreme weather, classed as over 72 hours, as soon as resources become available."

A fleet of gritting vehicles undertakes the work, covering a distance of more than 100 miles.

The council produces a winter gritting guide, detailing the priority routes, which is available from the Department for Technical Services.

Among the precautions drivers are advised to take during icy weather are:

- keeping lights clean and the battery fully charged

- using anti-freeze and windscreen washer additive

- checking tyre tread depth and pressure

- using dipped headlights and reducing speed

- using the highest gear possible and avoiding wheel spin

- avoiding harsh braking and accelerating

- and if you get into a skid ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.

Updated: 10:09 Tuesday, December 24, 2002