MOTORISTS should drive more carefully in snowy weather and stop moaning about the gritters, according to Southend’s council chief.

Nigel Holdcroft, the Tory leader of Southend Council, hit out after his authority came under fire for the slippery state of the town’s roads during this week’s cold snap.

Hundreds of residents took to the internet to claim the council had failed to properly grit the streets following the treacherous conditions on Monday night and Tuesday morning, which led to dozens of crashes.

However, Mr Holdcroft said the authority had done everything it could and called for motorists to take more responsibility for their own welfare.

He said: “It would be helpful if the public could be reasonable in their expectations taking account of the nature and timing of the adverse weather conditions and the resource available to us.

“Regrettably, it is apparent that many motorists appear to have no idea as to how to drive in adverse conditions, making the situation far worse than it would otherwise be.

“They also fail to believe that any proactive measures, whether by way of snow clearance or by using winter tyres or similar, are their responsibility.”