Road salt for Surrey drops to 3,000 tonnes

Surrey County Council's gritters used 10,000 tonnes of grit during recent snow and ice

Road salt supplies in Surrey have dropped to 3,000 tonnes after the council's fleet of gritters used 10,000 tonnes during recent cold weather.

Surrey County Council has now asked the government for more grit but has been turned down.

Transport spokesman Councillor Ian Lake said the council was told other parts of the country were higher priority because they were running out of salt.

He said he understood the government had to prioritise areas most in need.

Delivery 'within weeks'

Mr Lake said: "It may seem we are being punished for preparing well for winter but I understand the government is in a difficult position and has to prioritise those parts of the country in most need.

"However, this means we have to be careful with our own salt stocks until deliveries arrive to ensure we can continue to help keep Surrey moving as much as possible through any more ice and snow this winter."

Before the cold weather, the council ordered 50% more salt than last year and stockpiled 13,000 tonnes of road salt.

It also went further than government guidelines and stored enough salt for 51 grit runs as opposed to the recommended 48 runs.

During recent snow and ice, the council used 10,000 tonnes of road salt and its fleet of gritters covered more than 50,000 miles.

Grit supplies are currently at 3,000 tonnes but a private delivery of 2,000 tonnes ordered last year is expected to arrive "within weeks", Mr Lake said.

Until that delivery arrives, the council said it would concentrate on treating A-roads and key routes to hospitals.