As I have just spent all morning pushing cars out of sticky positions, I thought I had the right to comment on Bolton Council’s statement regarding the gritting of the roads.

I was attempting to visit my mum when I got stuck on black ice on Tuesday. After sitting in queues of traffic for up to two hours, I abandoned my car.

Others cars were also abandoned and I saw the aftermath of a crash.

I called the council to see what we could do. A recorded message said no vehicles were leaving the depot and this would be reviewed at 11 o’clock. When I was transferred to an operator, I was told this included the gritters.

There should have been an emergency service, considering the number of collisions. It seemed like total negligence by the council.

I can not believe the gritters and snowploughs were out at 3am and 6am. This came after the council sold two gritters. I’m very annoyed.

Name supplied, Astley Bridge