Weather update: Grit supplies are running out

HIGHWAYS officers say they have enough grit left to treat icy roads for just two days.

They have resorted to using pad white salt – a waste product of table salt – after being left with just two days ’ worth of rock salt supplies in Stoke-on-Trent.

Thirty tonnes of pad white salt mixed with rock salt was last night used on some roads, while a further 30 tonnes was mixed with builder’s sand and used on car parks.

An unknown amount of traditional rock salt was also used on the city’s A and B roads and bus routes.

But council highways officers do not know when they will get their next supply of rock salt, as the winter weather looks set to continue.

Councillor Adrian Knapper, city council portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said today: “We have enough rock salt to last the next two days, with the added pad white salt being mixed in to create an extra day’s worth of supplies. The problem is a national shortage of rock salt due to the continued bad weather, and means the Government is now supplying salt to those in greatest need.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure that roads are clear and ask motorists to take extra care during the extreme weather conditions.”

Rock salt, which comes out of the ground already mixed in with grit, has been costing the council £28.60 a tonne.

It had 140 tonnes of rock salt left before last night and spread 85 tonnes on Sunday night.

The council has paid £40 a tonne for the pad white salt, a pure salt that needs to be mixed in with sand or grit.

Motoring experts today reassured motorists and pedestrians that table salt was safe to use.

A spokesman said: “Table salt is very refined and would have to be mixed with sand or rock salt to be useable.

“If done properly, it is more than feasible for it to be used on roads and car parks and will have the same effect as normal grit in melting the snow and ice.

“We would suggest motorists make sure their car is given a good clean when the bad weather is over, particularly around the wheel arches to prevent any rusting.”

In Staffordshire, the county council has just 1,000 tonnes of grit left and is concentrating on A and B roads.

It has used three times as much grit in the last few weeks compared to the same period last year.

Cabinet member for highways Councillor John Wakefield said: “This week will be challenging, but we are doing everything we can to eke out salt stocks to ensure operations are maintained.”

Cheshire County Council has used 9,000 tonnes of grit in the last six weeks – compared to 8,000 tonnes throughout last winter.

A spokesman said the council had enough supplies to deal with the “immediate” weather forecast.