BRITAIN could be plunged back into transport chaos next winter because of “fundamental” problems with salt supplies, say town hall chiefs.

The warning from Durham County Council and the Local Government Association (LGA) has been delivered to MPs investigating this winter’s bad weather that sparked huge disruption.

And they have won backing from Newcastle and Northumberland councils in urging Ministers to act to ensure sufficient salt supplies are available.

In evidence to the Commons transport committee, Durham council said summer salt restocking by suppliers from the winter of 2009-10 was not completed until last November.

It urged suppliers to buy abroad if necessary with all their clients bearing the cost, but also raised concerns about the Government’s national salt store.

Durham council said the store had been surrounded by “rumour” about whether it was working and mines being advised on council deliveries – with it not getting fresh supplies until January this year.

The LGA, which represents town halls in England and Wales, said councils had worked with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Highways Agency to ensure nowhere ran out of salt, but warned of a crisis had bad weather continued.

“It is clear that the fundamental problems with the salt supply chain still exist and continue to threaten resilience to winter weather,” it said.

“If we were to experience another prolonged severe winter, it is questionable whether the systems in place would have been sufficient.”

It added the haulage industry could only deliver 40,000 tonnes of salt a week, despite England using around 325,000 tonnes of salt a week in severe weather.

Rob Nichols, head of environmental services at Newcastle council, said it had prepared well for winter – with 50% more salt than in previous years, although most of that was used.

“Attempts by the council to replenish its stocks were adversely affected by the huge national demand and limited availability.

“The council would support County Durham’s comments regarding the establishment of a national stockpile in advance of future winters,” he said.

Councillor Alan Armstrong, executive member for highways and transportation at Northumberland Council, said: “In relation to salt supplies, we would agree that more support is needed from central Government to ensure that the region is able to access enough reserve when required, and that this is at a suitable price.” said Coun Armstrong.

In its submission to MPs, the DfT said a national salt reserve of 600,000 tonnes had been set up – with 289,551 tonnes of salt already delivered and nearly 89,000 tonnes allocated to English highway authorities in the five releases so far.