Leader of Wakefield Council, Coun Peter Box, agreed to a gritting review at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday. It was called for by Conservative group leader, Coun Mark Crowther, who said there had been too many complaints to ignore.

He said: "I am aware there is a resource issue, but it concerns me that despite numerous complaints last year, some routes have not been touched this winter."

Coun Box accepted fewer streets had been gritted, but said priority routes had been agreed by all parties in the past.

Some councillors, including Coun Laurie Harrison, felt the gritting issue had been blown out of proportion. He said people who had complained about being trapped in their houses for a few days because of ice should spare a thought for the people of Haiti who had been trapped under theirs by two earthquakes.

However, Independent councillor Harold Mills welcomed the review and said there were people in his ward who had struggled for a month.

Coun Box said: "People want a review that says every route, street and cul-de-sac will be gritted, but they won't get it. The truth of the matter is there are only so many vehicles and members of staff.

"We can buy some more, that's not a problem. Then we can put them in storage and when we have to make cuts for the elderly, the young and the environment because there's not another bad winter for 10 years, those who called for them will say we shouldn't have bought them."

The council has also announced it will undertake an 'impact assessment' of the district's roads to determine the damage caused by the big freeze.

Coun Denise Jeffery, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I've seen for myself the damage which has been caused by the snow and freezing conditions.

"We will be doing an assessment of our roads to put this right. The next step will then be looking at a programme of works as well as considering ways of accessing extra funding on top of our existing investment in highways improvements."

Temporary repairs will be made where possible until the weather improves sufficiently.

For more information on highways, see www.wakefield.gov.uk or call 08458 506506.