Low salt stocks mean grit for A and B roads only

By tglover

NOTTS County Council is to treat only essential A and B roads in the snowy conditions, owing to low salt stocks.

The authority has moved to reassure residents that gritting will still go ahead, though low salt stocks nationwide mean only 'vital' A and B roads will be treated.

County Cllr Richard Jackson said: "Due to the national salt shortage we are still gritting A and B routes only to help preserve stocks and keep vital main roads open.

"The salt supply is still critical and is being controlled by the national Salt Cell and we will continue to lobby for more salt.

"We want to reassure residents that our gritting teams are on standby 24 hours, seven days a week, during the winter months, to ensure a prompt and effective response to icy weather.

"However, we would also urge residents to use the salt from grit bins wisely for use on the roads and pavements, so salt stocks are not exhausted unnecessarily."

The county council, which holds responsibility for salting a third of the county's roads, including all A and B roads, has also been in contact with Notts Police and other neighbouring authorities to help keep carriageways clear.

In contrast, gritting motorways and trunk roads falls under the responsibility of the Highways Agency.