This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8410726.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Road salt stockpile low, warns AA | Road salt stockpile low, warns AA |
| (30 minutes 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 Association | 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 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" in 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. | "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 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. | 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. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| "It is ridiculous scaremongering for the AA to suggest that councils are not prepared for prolonged winter weather," he said. | "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. |