Gritting pressure
Warwickshire County Council’s highway teams are currently managing a new pressure after a week of severe weather as concerns grow over the supply of ‘grit’ for the roads.
The county council has managed to keep the highways clear over the last few days by regular gritting, but has today been informed by suppliers that no more grit will be delivered to the county for the ‘foreseeable future’.
As a result Warwickshire County Highways has announced that in order to maintain adequate stockpiles of gritting salt, they will until further notice prioritise gritting to the agreed 33 gritted routes in Warwickshire. Usage of salt has outstripped the supply and many local authorities are now running at a lower than desired level.
The gritting of secondary routes and the refilling of grit bins will not be undertaken until resources allow.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, with responsibility for highways, said: “We have to respond to these national shortages of gritting salt to ensure we maintain a safe road system for the coming weeks. The highways teams in Warwickshire have done a wonderful job in the last week in keeping our roads moving and major routes clear.
“I’m shocked today to learn of the shortages and we’re looking into the issue now to establish just how serious the situation is and how long the delays are before our next deliveries.
“We certainly have some supplies and will manage in the short term to keep the county’s roads gritted, but we now need to prepare a plan if the deliveries do not come should the cold weather continue for a long period.”
The county council is in talks with the Highways Agency about the possibility of aid, but they are also having to plan for shortages.
Ends
For interview opportunities contact Cllr Martin Heatley on 07920 071119.