1.4m tonnes of salt stockpiled by councils for winter weather

The Local Government Association has revealed that councils have prepared for this year’s winter weather, with 94 per cent having either more salt in stock for this year, or the same level as they did last year.

The annual Winter Readiness Survey says that, as well as an abundance of salt stockpiled, each council has an average of nine full-size gritters, alongside other equipment in preparation for the upcoming big freeze and any flooding over the next few months.

The Local Government Association says that 55 per cent of councils will share salt stocks, 30 per cent will share gritting machinery, and 22 per cent plan to team up across their boundaries to send staff to key locations. Furthermore, 72 per cent of councils will be looking to use GPS to manage gritting, to make sure the areas most affected by snow or ice are targeted.

In addition to gritting roads and clearing snow drifts, councils will be looking out for the more vulnerable members of their communities this winter, with council leaders reminding households to show extra vigilance and ensure vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives are safe when the big freeze bites.

The survey also showed how 80 per cent will provide local communities with grit bins, while 91 per cent are planning activity to reduce the risk of flooding on local roads as well. As such, 71 per cent of councils plan to use ‘Gully Suckers’ to keep gullies as clear as possible, with 43 per cent equipped with GPS.

Martin Tett, the LGA’s Transport spokesman, said: “Councils are well prepared for the onset of winter and the sharp drop in temperatures, with an abundance of salt stockpiled. Winter preparation is a key priority for councils, despite ongoing funding pressures and competing demands on their limited resources. Across the country, local authorities have again risen to the challenge and already put measures in place to protect their residents from floods, ice, and wintry conditions.

“Councils are constantly monitoring the weather, with up-to-the-minute reports to stay one step ahead. Depots are filled with 1.4 million tonnes of salt and gritters are ready to be deployed instantly to make sure our local roads are clear and open to our residents where possible.”