Woodingdean, in Brighton, was one of the worst hit areas during the snowfall yesterday, January 8.
Councillor Jacob Allen, Brighton and Hove city councillor for Woodingdean, said the area was effectively “cut off” as roads in and out became impassable.
He attempted to return home from Brighton after a council planning meeting that evening and was forced to stay with family in Hove due to the dangerous driving conditions.
He said: “It was a nightmare. By six o’clock, Woodingdean was cut off from the outside world.
A sign for Brighton racecourse with ‘abandon hope’ written on it (Image: Supplied) “It was not through lack of trying to mitigate it. From my understanding, gritting crews went out as soon as they were made available.
“My understanding is gritting is more effective on ice than snow.
“I was disappointed that the main roads in and out of Woodingdean were not prioritised sooner, such as Warren Road and Falmer Road.
READ MORE: Cars abandoned, roads blocked, school shut: snow chaos as it happened
A man from Warren Road stables helped to clear the snow (Image: Angie Brackenridge) “I have been pushing for this already.
“That is something we will have to work on.”
Cllr Allen spoke of how the Woodingdean community came together to help each other out, with farmers taking to the roads to clear the snow using machinery.
He said: “They helped to clear the snow from the roads as well as with rescuing cars that were stuck.
“We have a great sense of community here in Woodingdean.”
A car on the side of the road on the A27 (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) The AA reported Warren Road as impassable due to the snow yesterday evening, while the B2123 Falmer Road was closed due to a stalled vehicle and a crash. It was also reported as impassable.
Pictures from around Brighton and Hove show cars abandoned on the side of the road as driving conditions became too challenging.
Brighton and Hove City Council said it sent gritters out on the roads at 4pm.
Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “Yesterday’s weather was far more severe than forecast and the situation deteriorated incredibly quickly.
Cars on a snowy A27 (Image: Eddie Mitchell) “Even by the time it began snowing in parts of the city, official forecasts were still saying no snow was expected in Brighton and Hove.
“We have been regularly gritting our streets recently – and will continue to do so while temperatures are low – but this is not possible during wet weather as the grit simply washes away.
“Our teams reacted quickly and our fleet was out gritting as soon as the weather made this possible.
“I completely understand people’s frustrations at the length of time it took some people to travel through the city, but this was not a case of the council not gritting roads effectively enough.
“We did everything we could beforehand and reacted promptly.”
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