As far as I know local roads, side roads and town centre are done by the council whilst major routes like motorways are done by Highways agency/LCC.
Nanny State doesn't come into it. These are local services paid out of local taxation. The original post was in response to whether the council had provided an adequate service.
My missus saw an old girl go ass over t*t the other day whilst crossing a road in the town centre. Don't think a snow chain would have helped really.
