THE inquest into the snow chaos which hit York began in earnest today with calls for more gritters for the city.

Council chiefs said they did everything in their power to keep the roads clear, but their efforts failed to prevent queues and a spate of minor accidents.

Frustrated drivers phoned the Evening Press demanding to know why the roads had not been cleared.

The heavy snow also forced a number of schools including All Saints', Wheldrake, and Hob Moor to close, while Fulford School shut its doors early.

Labour opposition transport spokeswoman Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing questioned why there were not more gritters on the roads.

Coun Ann Reid, the council's transport and planning chief, said the authority's 11 gritters were out during the night and from 5am on Monday.

She said: "I don't think we could have done any more. We put all our resources into gritting the roads. With snow falling at peak rush hour on a Monday morning, that did make life more difficult. We have two teams who do 12 hour shifts, and they will be out as long as necessary for the rest of the day. We spend as much money as is needed. Although we have a winter maintenance budget, if we overspend, the money comes out of the reserves."

A council spokesman said: "They are gritting constantly. It is a bit of a relay race - as one comes in to re-fill another is going out. We are keeping an eye on the weather with regular updates from forecasters."

Lisa Cook, set off from Pickering at 7.30am yesterday to head to York city centre via the A64 and then Malton Road. She said: "The roads were wet, but not slippery. The moment I came towards York they became treacherous from Hopgrove roundabout into town."

Sgt Dave Hopper, of York Police, said the A1237 ring road was particularly bad, while Sim Balk Lane was almost closed.

North Yorkshire County Council spokesman Tony Webster said work was under way around the county to keep roads clear.

"It doesn't stop. We have crews working 24 hours a day. We have a gritting team of about 100 and we have contractors to help."

Cold snap to stay

A PA weather expert said it would stay "very cold" today with a mixture of sunshine, sleet and snow showers. The outlook for Wednesday is cloudy, with snow flurries.

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, February 22, 2005