Angus Council leader Bob Myles said the council continued to deploy all available resources and direct services to the areas of greatest priority.

"Throughout the past few weeks Angus has managed to keep the main routes clear which has kept public transport and emergency services moving.

"In addition to the roads and Tayside Contracts crews, teams from Neighbourhood Services have as usual been redeployed from ground maintenance duties to clearing footways in towns and sheltered housing complexes.

"Street sweepers are using their barrows to go out and grit areas they would normally sweep and grit bins are being replenished. The work done by these crews has also been supplemented in specific areas by those serving community service orders.

"Some litter teams are still on duty to ensure we keep areas as free of debris as possible as it will only block gullies when the thaw eventually comes."

Councillor Myles said that given the degree and severity of the ongoing cold weather the council could not be expected to clear every road and pavement.

"We are working to a tried and tested policy of keeping main routes clear. The sustained period of sub zero temperatures means that all efforts have to go to priority routes and unfortunately auxiliary routes, such as residential streets off bus routes, have not been able to be treated as they have been in the past, when snow and icy conditions have only been around for days rather than weeks at a time."

Responding to comments about a change to the grit being used on Forfar's pavements the council leader assured residents that there had been no reduction in quality: "Some grit delivered to Forfar early on was of a slightly larger size and this has proved useful in giving good traction through the hard compacted ice."

Councilor Myles encouraged residents to consider older people during the cold spell. "The council is maintaining all of its essential care services such as community meals and home care services but as the severe weather is expected to last for some days any help neighbours can give, particularly to older residents, would be much appreciated."

Information and advice is available on the Winter Watch section of the council's website at www.angus.gov.uk.