Councils told to cut down on gritting

Jan 9 2010 by Alastair Craig and William Green, The Journal

POLITICAL leaders warned last night the North East could face further transport misery as unprecedented grit rationing was introduced.

Even fewer roads across the region are likely to be treated after Transport Secretary Lord Adonis ordered local authorities to reduce the amount of grit they are using on the roads as the cold snap continues.

He said councils and motorway bosses had agreed to slash the use of salt by 25% – with some North East town halls having just a few days’ supply left. Some councils across the region have already reduced their gritting regimes to cover only priority A and B routes to keep commuters and public transport moving.

Lord Adonis, pictured right, even said motorists could use snow chains “where appropriate” as council chiefs admitted fewer highways could now be made safe.

The Transport Secretary urged councils to share resources, but appeared powerless to legally order them to do so as he insisted the UK’s two salt mines – including one in Cleveland – were working at full production.

Sir Alan Beith, MP for Berwick, whose constituency is among the worst affected areas said well prepared councils would suffer. “A 25% cut is completely unfair on areas where only limited gritting has been taking place and will penalise councils which have been careful up to now to make the best use of their supplies,” he said. “If deep snow is likely to persist for some time, many roads will have to be ploughed whether there is grit or not.”

Labour’s Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland said: “This cold snap has been completely unexpected and obviously there has to be some emergency measures to ensure major highways are kept open.” Wendy Taylor, Newcastle City Council executive member for transport, said grit rationing was “worrying” and added: “I don’t think anyone could have predicted it being such a long snap and it is up to councils to prepare for winter, it wasn’t predictable.”