PACKED ice has been left covering pavements in Cheltenham, making them lethal to people of all ages.
Pedestrians have been risking nasty falls and broken bones as many of the town's walkways have been left at the mercy of the elements.
Some residents complained surfaces resembled an ice rink, more than three days after the initial flurry of snow hit the county, adding many pavements were impassable – especially for elderly folk.
Maureen Molloy, 83, who lives in Church Road, Leckhampton, said the way things were at the moment she was afraid to leave her home.
She said: "The pavements are very dangerous. I would not go out at the moment, it's too slippery. This road is terrible it is like a skating rink."
In contrast, people living in Tewkesbury said pavements had been successfully cleared of ice and slush left from melting snow and are now safe to walk on.
It has raised questions about whether Cheltenham has received different treatment to the rest of the county.
Tewkesbury residents have lavished praise on the authorities for how they have dealt with the sub-zero conditions.
One man said: "On Saturday morning my wife and I went shopping in Tewkesbury, and both of us were surprised and very pleased to find the pavements had been completely cleared of all the ice and snow from the previous day."
The two towns currently have different operations in place to deal with icy areas.
Tewkesbury Town Council is responsible for gritting pavements while, in Cheltenham, the borough council takes on the task through its contractor, Ubico.
John Rees, environmental maintenance manager at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "We work with Gloucestershire Highways in times of adverse weather conditions and they have given us instructions to carry out salting operations to priority one routes within the town centre area, which we have done."
But a spokeswoman for Gloucestershire County Council, said it was up to the borough how it used its grit.
She said: "We've got an agreement with Cheltenham Borough Council where we provide the salt and they treat the pavements wherever they think it's necessary, within the town centre area."
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it had been inundated with elderly visitors turning up to A&E with fractures after slipping in the treacherous conditions.
It posted a tweet yesterday urging people to look out for vulnerable residents.
It said: "Lots of over 65s attending A&E with fractures – could you assist elderly neighbours with shopping to help them avoid trips and slips?"
The cold snap looks set to stay throughout the week, with temperatures dipping to -5 C in parts of Gloucestershire by Thursday night.
Reader picture special P24-25
