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AA claims councils lack road salt Road salt stockpile low, warns AA
(about 7 hours later)
Half of the UK's local authorities only have enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing, the AA has said.Half of the UK's local authorities only have enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing, the AA has said.
The motoring organisation said it has been told that local councils have 250,000 tonnes less road salt in stock than they would have had a decade ago.The motoring organisation said it has been told that local councils have 250,000 tonnes less road salt in stock than they would have had a decade ago.
It said last winter's heavy snow meant stocks had dwindled and some councils had to "borrow" from others.It said last winter's heavy snow meant stocks had dwindled and some councils had to "borrow" from others.
But the Local Government Association said the suggestion councils were not ready was "ridiculous scaremongering".But the Local Government Association said the suggestion councils were not ready was "ridiculous scaremongering".
The AA said it had been informed of the shortage by industry sources.The AA said it had been informed of the shortage by industry sources.
The organisation added local authorities' reliance on "just in time" deliveries left too many of them vulnerable to a lengthy big freeze or major snowfall.The organisation added local authorities' reliance on "just in time" deliveries left too many of them vulnerable to a lengthy big freeze or major snowfall.
AA president Edmund King said: "Around 1,000 people are killed or seriously injured on snowy and icy roads each winter and hospital casualty departments are often inundated with people who have slipped and fallen.AA president Edmund King said: "Around 1,000 people are killed or seriously injured on snowy and icy roads each winter and hospital casualty departments are often inundated with people who have slipped and fallen.
It's up to councils, not the AA, to decide whether it is a good use of their council taxpayers' money to stockpile more salt David Sparks Local Government AssociationIt's up to councils, not the AA, to decide whether it is a good use of their council taxpayers' money to stockpile more salt David Sparks Local Government Association
"We accept that not every road can be treated, but we must do a lot more to keep the wheels of the economy turning in winter emergencies and 'routine' winter weather. That means getting enough salt stocks in place now.""We accept that not every road can be treated, but we must do a lot more to keep the wheels of the economy turning in winter emergencies and 'routine' winter weather. That means getting enough salt stocks in place now."
Mr King told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "pretty chaotic" last February when councils were unable to cope with a deep freeze on the roads.
"There was a 25% increase in hospital admissions, the economy lost £1.2bn because of the chaos. Hospitals, schools and refuse collections were all affected," he said.
But Councillor David Sparks of the Local Government Association - which represents councils in England and Wales - rejected the AA's claims.But Councillor David Sparks of the Local Government Association - which represents councils in England and Wales - rejected the AA's claims.
He said: "It is ridiculous scaremongering for the AA to suggest that councils are not prepared for prolonged winter weather. He told the Today programme it was "ridiculous" for the AA to focus solely on the amount of salt, which could be increased within 48 hours and moved around the country.
"It is ridiculous scaremongering for the AA to suggest that councils are not prepared for prolonged winter weather," he said.
"If the AA thinks the only way councils can ensure they have enough salt is by stockpiling it, it is showing startling ignorance."If the AA thinks the only way councils can ensure they have enough salt is by stockpiling it, it is showing startling ignorance.
"Councils realise how important it is to keep roads clear. It's up to councils, not the AA, to decide whether it is a good use of their council taxpayers' money to stockpile more salt or have other plans in place to make sure they can get enough grit to keep Britain moving.""Councils realise how important it is to keep roads clear. It's up to councils, not the AA, to decide whether it is a good use of their council taxpayers' money to stockpile more salt or have other plans in place to make sure they can get enough grit to keep Britain moving."
Gritting motorways and trunk roads is the responsibility of the Highways Agency in England, Transport Scotland and the three trunk roads agencies in Wales.Gritting motorways and trunk roads is the responsibility of the Highways Agency in England, Transport Scotland and the three trunk roads agencies in Wales.
Other roads are the responsibility of local government in Britain and the Northern Ireland Roads Service.Other roads are the responsibility of local government in Britain and the Northern Ireland Roads Service.