He said a pipe further up the hill towards Craigiebarns Primary School had burst and the water has run down to the bottom of the road where it’s gathered before freezing up.

Mr Docherty said the large patch was six to eight inches thick at its height.

“It’s really dangerous,” he said. “A child fell yesterday and I slipped and fell this morning.

“There’s a large patch of thick ice at the junction on the bend of the road. It’s horrendous and it’s also been affecting vehicles as well.

“I’m worried there could be a serious accident if something isn’t done about it. It keeps building up from the water coming from a burst pipe which is trickling water down the hill. It’s now up above the kerb.

“This must be a priority for Scottish Water because it’s affecting pupil safety.

“I can’t leave my crossing post to bring them over further up the road.”

Mr Docherty said residents had been out trying to break up the ice but more water was running down the hill and freezing up, making it impossible to clear the area.

“The safety of the children is my main concern,” added Mr Docherty.

Early this afternoon a Scottish Water spokesperson said the company was working to repair a burst four inch main that was affecting the road surface at Craigiebarns Road.

“We aim to have this repaired today,” he said.

“As a result of the extremely cold weather and prolonged frost, there has been a higher frequency of callouts for our maintenance squads.

“Our team is working 24 hours a day to maintain normal service for customers. Action is being taken where needed to minimise any inconvenience to the public.”

500 GRIT BINS WITHIN CITY

Over 500 grit bins are located within the city to help residents treat dangerous icy pavements in their neighbourhood, Dundee City Council said today (writes Debbie Kerr).

As a result of the sub-zero temperatures over Christmas and New Year, pavements and minor roads have begun to resemble ice rinks across the city.

The council has come under fire from many residents for leaving the pavements in a hazardous condition, while they prioritise the main routes for gritting.

Last week the council made a plea to the public to grit their own paths and roads using the city’s grit bins.

However some community-minded residents who went out to grit the pathways have said they had real difficulty in finding the council’s grit bins on their streets.

One Tele reader said he was forced to walk along several streets to find a bin close to his home.

Dundee City Council said the 500 grit bins are placed in locations where there are steep gradients, steps and adjacent to sheltered housing.

People who cannot locate their nearest grit bin are also welcome to contact the council’s customer service team.

A spokesperson said, “Grit bins are provided to enable self-help gritting of adopted roads and pavements at locations with substantial gradients or bends, which are not on high priority gritting routes,” she said.

“There are over 500 grit bins across the city and anyone finding it difficult to locate their nearest bin can call 433558.”

Meanwhile, a Dundee councillor has welcomed fresh assurances there is sufficient grit in the city to deal with the current cold snap.

Following inquiries from Fraser Macpherson, the City Engineer has reiterated that stocks are sufficient to last until a new delivery of marine salt this weekend.

Mr Macpherson said, “I welcome clarification on the stock levels of salt held by the city council as many of my constituents are expressing concern about the need to grit roads and footpaths, particularly those residential streets that haven’t been treated as a priority and therefore remain a sheet of ice.

“I am particularly concerned for the elderly and residents with mobility problems and am anxious a full and proper discussion of winter maintenance arrangements is carried out as a matter of urgency.”