Gritting lorries have been out on the county's main routes, but drivers are still facing difficulties with many residents claiming more needs to be done.

Hertfordshire Highways say they'll do the best the can with the resources they have.

Bosses also say it's vital motorists still take care on gritted routes, as salting "isn't a magic solution" to making the roads safe.

There were chaotic conditions on the Hertfordshire stretch of the M25 last night, with some people stuck on the motorway for up to seven hours.

The advice from police is to allow extra time for your journey and only travel if necessary.

Stuart Pile, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Hertfordshire County Council said: "If you do have to drive, please leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, steer and brake very gently and reduce your overall speed. Motorists might also want to consider making sure they're prepared for a breakdown. We advise keeping an emergency kit in your car containing warm clothing and blankets, boots, a torch, de-icer, battery jump leads, a spade, a first aid kit and emergency rations of food and drink."

The latest updates from Hertfordshire County Council can be found here.

There have also been delays and cancellations to bus and train services across the County.

Speaking on Twitter, Labour Leader on Stevenage Borough Council, Sharon Taylor, says: "Crews have been out gritting paths in the Town Centre, Old Town and pavements outside sheltered housing. Well done to them."

AIRPORTS:

Stansted and Luton airports are advising passengers to check with their airline before they travel.

Find out the latest from Stansted here.

You can see the latest from Luton airport here.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:

It's snow joke...we've got details of Hertfordshire's school closures here.

YOUR HERTFORDSHIRE SNOW PHOTOS:

ABOVE: Chloe Panuelos has been busy making a Snowman

ABOVE: Poppy from Welwyn Garden City makes a fantastic JACK fm Snowman by the name of "Steve!"

ABOVE: The scene from Scott's window in Baldock

ABOVE: Snowy scenes in Hertford Heath - thanks to Chris Stevenson for this photograph.

ABOVE: Sue's sent over this picture of trees covered in snow

ABOVE: Adele's been out taking snowy snaps in Panshanger

Ms Terry believes high rent rates are behind the town's decline.

Pollarding involves the removal of the thin young branches back to a framework of mature branches. Trees pruned in this way are less likely to become top heavy, be blown over in high winds or to have branches damaged during severe weather. It also encourages new strong growth, helps to prevent attacks by pests and diseases and prolongs the life of the tree.

Councillor Mandy Perkins, Executive Member for Planning and Business, said: "It might look a bit drastic at first sight, but really will benefit the trees.

They will grow back fairly soon and be stronger and healthier as a result."

(BELOW, L-R: Before and after pollarding work)

It will feature blueprints to build four three bedroom houses on Manor Close.

Chris Wright, Director of Housing, said: "With over 2700 applications on the district's housing waiting list, the creation of these new family homes will go towards reducing the shortage of affordable housing in our local neighbourhoods."

The proposed plans for new homes in Tewin, Wareside and Hertford will take place on 7th February, 16th February and 6th March respectively - find out more details here.

British Transport Police say her death at the Johnson's footpath crossing, just before midday on Saturday, was a "tragic accident."

Trains to London, Cambridge and Stansted Airport were delayed. 

(BELOW: Tributes are left at the scene of the death)

Safety measures were installed at the site after an 81 year-old woman walking her dog was killed while crossing the track in 2002.

It comes after a further tragedy in 2005, when 14 year-old Olivia Bazlinton and 13 year-old Charlotte Thompson were killed after being hit by a train at nearby Elsenham station.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a £483-million contract to create Sea Ceptor, which is capable of 'Mach 3' speeds - that's ONE KILOMETRE a second.

The missile would protect an area of around 500 square miles.

The project will support around 230 jobs at the Six Hills Way and will take five years to complete.

The Managing Director for MBDA UK, Steve Wadey, said: "MBDA and its predecessors have been a major employer here in Stevenage for over 50 years and a major contributor to the successful Libyan campaign with the RAF using our innovative Dual Mode Brimstone missile.

This new contract for the Sea Ceptor air defence system for the Royal Navy's frigates means that the many engineers and technologies involved in developing such world class missiles can be sustained and keep Stevenage at the centre of the UK's missile development."

Defence Equipment Minister Peter Luff said: "The development of this missile system is a huge boost to the UK's world-leading missile industry and once again proves our commitment to providing battle-winning technology to our armed forces."

The head of the Navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said: "This new weapon system will equip our frigates to deal with the type of sophisticated missile threat expected in the coming decades.

Investment in advanced defence technology, such as Sea Ceptor, is vital to ensure the Royal Navy's continued ability to defend the UK's interests wherever necessary."

Crews from Ware, Hertford, Much Hadham, Hoddesdon and Stevenage were called to a building on High Road at High Cross just after 7.30am this morning.

There were fears earlier that neighbouring properties could also be set alight.

Herts Fire and Rescue Service says a fire investigator is on the scene.

A spokesperson for the Fire Service told JACK fm: "On arrival crews found a well developed fire affecting the first floor and roof of a two floor wooden building. There was also a possibility of the fire spreading to adjoining properties.

Steady progress is being made and sections of the roofs of adjoining buildings have been removed to stop the fire spreading.

There has been a partial roof collapse at the rear of the building."

It was a nervous match for new manager Gary Smith, who'd said he wanted to 'make history' at his first game in charge. The final score was Boro 1 - Notts County 0.

Stevenage will now face Tottenham at the Lamex Stadium in the next round of the FA Cup.

Hertfordshire Highways have issued the alert saying they will continue to salt all the main routes, but salting doesn't always make the roads completely safe.

Phil Bibby, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "We will continue to salt all the main routes around the county but, while salt is the best material we have available to treat snow and ice, it isn't a magic powder that always makes roads completely safe. Please take care if you're out and about in the next few days.

If you are driving, please leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, steer and brake very gently and reduce your overall speed.

Pedestrians are also asked to take a great deal of care on pavements and when crossing the road."

They say it's to protect existing members with regard to ticketing priority.

Yesterday, Boro were told they'll play Tottenham at the Lamex Stadium in the next round of the FA Cup.

A statement on the Association's website reads: "All applications received up until midnight on 29th January will be processed, although our usual target for mailing out membership cards within two days may not be achieved."

Find out more about the Supporters Association here.

The idea's to provide a one-stop shop and could be expanded to include more services in the future.

Cllr Julian Daly, Executive Leader of St Albans City & District Council said: "We know from our research that many residents want a more joined up approach to getting advice, information and guidance and we are working with our partners to make that possible.

You can now get help from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, information from Oaklands College, guidance and services from the District Council and information about volunteering all from the same building.

We hope in time to increase the services on offer, bringing in other organisations and extending the offer of those already working with us."

According to figures from the Sun, Hertfordshire's had to pay out £1.2 million pounds since 2006 - only beaten by Greater Manchester at £2.58 million.

The largest single settlement was £550,000 paid by Herts Police to a civilian worker, who suffered chronic pain after breaking an elbow when they slipped in an icy car park. 

The newspaper obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request. 

Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, says he's alarmed by the amount of money being paid out.

The RSPB is holding it's 'Big Garden Birdwatch' survey.

You only need to spare one hour at home - or at an organised event such as the one from 10am in Cedars Park, Cheshunt and 1pm in Cheshunt Park.

RSPB spokesperson for Hertfordshire, Aggie Rothan, told JACK fm: "The last few months have been anything but predictable so it will be interesting to see what kinds of birds people are seeing this weekend, and in what numbers.

With plenty of natural food still about some of the usual suspects might be a bit elusive, but heavy rain and strong winds could send other surprises our way.

Spring-like signs might even be inspiring early breeding activities. There's already been lots of evidence of birds recce-ing potential nest sites so whatever the weather, it'll be a busy time."

We want to know what you see whether its a hundred birds or two birds, regardless of whether this is typical for your garden. We add up all the counts to work out the overall results."

For more details about the birdwatch, click here.

Ware South Councillor Rosemary Cheswright said: "This is a great opportunity for the children to create something which will become a real feature of Ware town centre.

It has the added benefit of making the area safer, particularly for the elderly and partially sighted people in our community."

They're hosting a special "Forces Day" at Top Field in aid of the Royal British Legion.

It'll be a memorable occasion for local youngster and game mascot Thomas Dean, who's father Sergeant Andy Dean, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Hitchin Town Chairman, Terry Barratt, commented: "Last season, one of our most successful initiatives was Forces Day and we have been keen to hold the event again.

We have good links with local servicemen and we welcome all representatives of the Army, Navy, RAF and TA to Top Field. We are especially pleased to be paying tribute to the people who are on active duty today."

Find out more about Hitchin Town FC here.

Today (January 27th) marks the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Kitty is now actively involved in speaking about her experiences, because she says we need to learn from the past: "We have no guarantee that it won't happen again.

Simple technology many years ago killed many people like rat poison. Today you can kill people much more easily.

We're not just doing Holocaust Memorial Day to remember; we're doing it to protect people in the future."

Each year is given a theme by the Holocaust Memorial Trust, which for 2012 is 'Speak up, Speak out'.

Hear more from Kitty on the audio player below...

Read Kitty's amazing story in full by clicking here.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is actively involved in publicising January 27th. You can find out more about their working by click here - or by watching the video below...

Learning from the past from Holocaust Memorial Day Trust on Vimeo.

A group gathered on Link Drive this morning to see the release of two white doves and to share stories.

(Above: Mayor Carl Storer releases the white doves)

The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is "Speak Up, Speak Out" and the speakers touched on the importance of standing up for what is right.

Memories and thoughts on the persecution were shared, as well as reasons why the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz is remembered.

(Below: Chairman of the Welwyn Hatfield Synagogue Reynold Rosenberg)

Speaking to JACK fm at the service Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Carl Storer said; "It's important to the people who survived, it's important to the people who come here each year, it gets larger every year."

"I think education is the most important thing. That these children have got to grow up to realise that what has happened was wrong, and not sit there and think it won't happen again, it's in their hands."

 Reynold Rosenberg is the Chairman of Welwyn Garden City Synagogue, he said; "It's so easy to forget these things, it's so easy to bury them. It's excellent that the whole country at this time and this day get the opportunity to remember."

 "You have to be able to say I'm going to talk to people, I'm going to make sure no one forgets this. When the camp was liberated, General Eisenhower walked around it and said take photographs because someone is going to say this never happened."

 "It upsets me to do it, but it's got to be done."

It's cervical cancer awareness week and Doctors say 900 women die every year in England from the disease, which can largely be prevented.

Hertfordshire's Screening Manager, Sue Marsden, said: "There are still some women who do not realise how important it is to get screened. I understand some women may feel anxious about going for a smear test but I would urge women not to put it off.

The test takes about five minutes with most women describing it as a little uncomfortable but not painful and having the test regularly can help to detect cell abnormalities early so they can be monitored or treated."

Girls in year 8 (aged 12 to 13) are vaccinated to protect them against the human papilloma virus (HPV) which causes around 70% of cervical cancer.

Sue Marsden said: "By having the HPV vaccine young women are helping to protect themselves against cervical cancer later in life. The vaccine protects against the strains of the virus responsible for more than two thirds of all cervical cancers, which is excellent, but it does not prevent them all.

This is why it is still essential that women continue to go for cervical screening tests when they are older."

Teenagers will learn about the Occupy movement, which has for months been visible with it's 'Tent City' Protest.

Speaking to the Daily Mail Teachers at the Bishop's Stortford High School say they hope the talk for 150 sixth-formers will 'stimulate debate and discussion.'

Simon Etheridge, head of citizenship, told the newspapers: "I invited Occupy to stimulate debate and discussion among the students about their politics and their world at the moment, as well as their views, for and against, about the protest outside St Paul’s Cathedral.

This will be balanced by future speakers. We are not here to "corrupt the young" – we host all respectable and appropriate political parties."

Occupy protester Jamie Kelsey-Fry, a former English teacher who is leading the outreach campaign, said: "We want them to further their own ways of engagement. It's not a recruiting situation."

They fled Germany for England in 1939 and will be answering questions on their experiences.

Pupils from Presdales School, St Joseph's Primary and Broxbourne will also be giving presentations on the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Councillor Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in Hertfordshire said: "The holocaust is a big part of European and British history.

It is important that school children understand what happened and how it affected the lives of those who lived through it."

Hear more about the event from County Councillor Terry Douris by clicking on the audio player below...

VIDEO: The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is this year urging us to 'Speak Up' against hatred and discrimination...

For more details about the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, visit their website here.

Racing driver Nicholas Hamilton was on hand at the Borough Council's 'Talented Young People Awards' to recognise those who have been given grants for their achievements in a range of sports and arts.

Councillor Howard Burrell, Executive member for Children and Young People, Leisure and Culture, introduced the ceremony at the Gordon Craig Theatre: "There are a huge number of young people in Stevenage that are very talented so we’re proud to help them realise their potential with a grant.

The awards were a great chance to celebrate their achievements and will hopefully inspire others to get involved in sport."

The Sport Stevenage Awards were also announced, with Stevenage Cycling Touring Club given Community Club of the Year.

They'll hear how to make the most of 2012 contracts and discover more about the Lee Valley White Water centre in Waltham Cross.

Olympic medal winner Mark Richardson is among the names hoping to inspire those attending.

This business breakfast also includes a presentation from Deloitte on business preparedness, covering everything from travel disruption, consumer demand and staff unavailability. 

Chairman of the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Board, Derrick Ashley, said: "Hertfordshire is still in pole position in the region for businesses signed up to CompeteFor.

Now that 2012 is here it really is the time for Hertfordshire businesses to grab the opportunities that the Olympics is bringing to the county."

They voted against such a rise last night, and said 5 percent would have been more realistic.

The party says it's concerned for residents, who are already struggling to pay their bills.

But, Labour Leader on Stevenage Borough Council, Sharon Taylor, says rent increases in Stevenage are the lowest in Hertfordshire and the rest of the country.

The Council says the rise is also lower than the Government's guideline, meaning the average weekly rent for Stevenage Borough Council tenants will go up by £5.65 from 4 April 2012.

Councillor Ann Webb, Executive Member for Housing, said: "Prices are going up everywhere, people are already being hit hard, and we don't want to make it worse.

The most vulnerable people will probably be protected as they will receive housing benefit, so the rent increase will have the greatest impact on those people who are not on benefit and who work hard just to make ends meet.

With many of our houses now 40, 50 or 60 years old, we do need to be able to balance maintaining our housing with ensuring that our rents are affordable.

I firmly believe that we should do whatever we can to reduce the rent increase yet at the same time ensuring we can maintain our housing. I am proud to note that this puts us amongst the minority of councils in the country who have decided to try and do what we can for our tenants during hard times by smoothing out the impact of high inflation."

A statement from Stevenage Borough Council said: "The transfer of Stevenage Homes, an arms length management organisation, to Stevenage Borough Council on 1 December 2011 is expected to provide on-going annual savings of over £1.1 million.

Councillors believe that these savings can help meet the shortfall of income created by a lower rent increase.

This income will enable the council to accelerate its Decent Homes programme and carry out vital lift replacement work. It will also mean the start of a new 'secure by design' programme of front door replacement and new security lighting."

The move had been made possible by relaxation of the previous Labour government's strict rules around provision of council housing - thanks to the Coalition government.

Nevertheless, I warned that the move was not necessarily the best option and that other possibilities should have been looked at first. It seems I was right.

I wonder how many Stevenage Homes tenants will think it was such a good idea, now that Labour have just pushed up their rents by nearly 7% - at a time when many residents are severely affected by the national and international economic climate?

Even the Coalition government's cut in income tax (by raising the threshold by £1,000 in the 2011/2012 budget) from which most earners will benefit, is not enough to offset this increase.

It's ahead of the opening of the 'Warner Brothers Studio Tour' in March.

The bus, which debuted in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, will be one of the attractions, alongside sets, props and costumes from the eight Potter films.

John Richardson, Special Effects Supervisor, told JACK fm: "The Knight Bus was not a CGI Creation as many people thought but in fact a real-life working bus.

 It was constructed by cutting up two iconic Routemaster buses, reworking the structure and bolting it all back together to provide one bus with three decks."

John went on to say: "One interesting challenge that arose during the shooting of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was that we could not drive the vehicle across London due to the number of low bridges in and around the capital. 

This meant that we had to transport the bus in two pieces between locations and put it back together as required for filming."

(Above; John Richardson, Special Effects Supervisor)

The 43 year-old was announced as Graham Westley's replacement yesterday and will be setting his mind on this weekend's FA Cup game against Notts County.

Mark Newson who has coached at Crystal Palace and West Ham has joined the club as Assistant Manager.

Fans seem to be pleased with the appointment and Smith's ambition to succeed.

Mark Hollis is from the Supporters Association, he's pleased that there are no plans for major changes to the team: "As it stands I wouldn't change anything at all - our league position at the moment is far better than anybody would have expected it to be this season.

Mark went on to say Smith's lack of proven experience as a manager isn't a worry: "I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, as long as Smith has the same hunger and drive that the players seem to have."

Hear more from Mark Hollis chatting with JACK fm's Sophie Calvert on the audio player below...

Listen to Gary Smith's first question and answers session IN FULL (joined by Boro Chairman Phil Wallace) on the audio player below...

{flaAud_http://18.mm.g-media.com/450617.mp3_260}

Gary's recently been involved in management in the US, guiding Colorado Rapids to the championship cup in 2010 and the play-offs in 2011.

Smith's also spent time coaching at Wimbledon, Wycombe, Watford and Arsenal.

It's hoped the collaboration between the Council and University of Hertfordshire will encourage good quality rentals in the private sector.

This will effectively "quality mark" landlords, who'll be endorsed by the scheme.

An associated website (www.PAL-online.org.uk) has been set up to serve as an information point for both landlords and tenants. Applications from local landlords are now being accepted via the website.

Councillor Roger Trigg, Executive Member for Housing and Community, said: "The council, together with the University, is working to improve the standards of privately rented accommodation in the borough, whilst acknowledging landlords who demonstrate good practice."

(ABOVE: The scheme is a collaboration between the University of Hertfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council) 

Councillors say there had been numerous complaints relating to the Thameslink Service which operates from St Albans City railway station.

Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Council, Robert Donald, said: "Following the Committee's questioning of First Capital Connect and Network Rail last July, members are anxious to hear what improvements have been made regarding better communication with passengers when there are problems and delays to the train service and to the compensation policy, which I feel has been unclear and inconsistent in the past.

The Committee will be keen to hear how much of the action plan, that the representatives of both rail companies informed us about at the last meeting, has actually been implemented since then.

However, very recent delays and problems to the service indicate that there is still considerable work to do on both these issues. Local commuters are fast losing patience with the explanations and excuses and, on their behalf, we will robustly press both companies regarding the progress or lack of it on these matters at the meeting.

If any residents have got recent experience of problems with either First Capital Connect or Network Rail, please contact the Scrutiny Support Officer and these will also be put to the rail companies."