DRIVERS are urged to be extra cautious when making journeys home later this afternoon (Thursday, December 16).

It is thought there could be widespread black ice on the borough’s roads as a result of the early afternoon’s rainfall being closely followed by snow and temperatures predicted to drop below zero before the evening peak drive-time.

Gritters are now on standby and will start work as soon as the rain stops – this is so that the rain does not wash the rock-salt away.

Both the primary and secondary routes will be treated over the next eight hours and gritting is likely to continue through tomorrow and the weekend’s predicted snowfall.

Cllr Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Community & Environment, said: “With the predicted sub-zero temperatures and snow-fall over the next few days, we do ask that everyone takes extra care on the roads and decides whether their journeys are absolutely necessary.”