Wiltshire salt supplies running low
4th February 2009
Wiltshire County Council has warned it is running out of salt for its gritter lorries. The arctic weather conditions caused havoc for pedestrians and drivers in North Wiltshire over the past 48 hours. Delays of more than an hour were affecting bus services in Chippenham, Calne and Swindon leaving commuters waiting while drivers had to find alternative routes to avoid black ice.

The recent cold snap and heavy snow fall, the worst for 18 yeras, has meant Wiltshire County Council Highway gritters have been working long hours to make our roads safe. Prioritisation of the road network initially goes to the primary routes and then when considered safe, the other roads are gritted. Because of the higher than expected number of days of sub-zero temperatures, added with large snowfalls the resources are being used more.

Wiltshire County Council have advised that resources are running low and while stocks are replenished, we would ask for consideration be taken while the gritters prioritise to the main routes. It can not be stressed enough, that drivers take additional care while driving under these hazardous conditions especially on the outreach rural untreated roads and housing estates. Once you get onto a main route, roads still can be hazardous owing to black ice during the sub-zero temperatures.

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said: "We still have salt supplies to enable us to continuing salting the main routes in Wiltshire for the time being. At present we have around 1,000 tonnes of salt and we are supplementing this with several hundred tonnes of grit.

"This will enable us to undertake eight normal salt runs before we will require additional supplies. It will depend on what weather we experience during the next few days as to how long these supplies will last.

"This is a national situation and we are aware that many other local authorities are running extremely low on salt supplies. All new salt supplies are currently being directed to national priorities.

"We would again urge both drivers and pedestrians to take care when travelling.

"Our fleet of 58 gritting lorries has been working virtually round the clock for the past two days and we must pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of all the people involved in this operation. They last salted major roads in Wiltshire this morning at 5am. The next run will be determined based on weather and road conditions.

"We store around 8,500 tonnes and we would rarely use this amount in a year. So far this year we have used some 7,500 tonnes due to the exceptional weather. Wiltshire County Council is responsible for all roads in Wiltshire with the exception of the motorway and the two trunk roads, the A303 and the A36, which are the responsibility of the Highways Agency.

Police are warning drivers they could be prosecuted if they don't clear their windscreens properly in the icy conditions. A spokesman said: "Drivers who fail to clear their windscreens may be committing an offence and could be liable to prosecution."