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Minister in pledge on grit stocks Road grit levels 'critically low'
(about 7 hours later)
The Scottish government's finance secretary has said councils have sufficient supplies of road grit. Salt and grit needed to treat icy roads during the cold weather have reached "critically low" levels, according to two local authorities.
John Swinney's pledge came after Fife Council reported its stock had become "critically low". Fife and Renfrewshire councils said there would be "significant" problems if new supplies were not delivered immediately.
Mr Swinney said that when he heard about Fife's plight new supplies of salt were sourced. The Scottish government said councils had sufficient supplies of road grit.
With forecasters predicting the cold snap will continue for at least another week, the government is advising people to take care on roads and paths. Finance Secretary John Swinney insisted that when he heard about Fife's plight new supplies of salt were sourced.
On Sunday, Fife Council issued a statement expressing its worries salt stocks could run out by Monday morning. Additional supply
Renfrewshire Council also warned the area's grit supplies were so low only the main routes were being treated. Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, told BBC Scotland that supplies of grit would run out on Monday morning.
But Mr Swinney insisted that salt levels were "sufficient at present" and any suggestion to the contrary "is not correct". He said: "We did receive an additional supply of salt yesterday but at a very low level - 50 tonnes.
To be unable to grit the roads is our worst-case scenario as public safety is always of the utmost importance to us Bob McLellanFife Council "To put that in perspective we are at the moment expending between 500 and 600 tonnes, sometimes up to 1,000 tonnes, per day.
He explained government officials alerted Transport Scotland to the situation in Fife and as a result fresh supplies of grit were found. "That has allowed us to carry out the pre-grit this morning in Fife but the problem remains, and we are doing everything we can to secure more salt for Fife."
Mr Swinney added: "We continue to liaise regularly with local authorities and trunk road operators in Scotland and across the UK to ensure a co-ordinated approach in coping with these extremely difficult weather conditions.
"Local authorities are also working together to share and re-distribute salt to ensure that supply gets to where it is most needed. "
Before the government's intervention, Councillor Tony Martin, chairman of Fife council's environment, enterprise and transportation committee, said salt and grit supplies would run out "either late tonight [Sunday] or by tomorrow [Monday] morning".
Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, added: "Most, if not all Scottish councils, appear to be in a very similar situation and stock levels are at critically low levels in many councils across Scotland.
"To be unable to grit the roads is our worst-case scenario as public safety is always of the utmost importance to us."
Grit bins
In the Renfrewshire area drivers and residents have been advised that gritters were concentrating on main routes in order to preserve their stocks.In the Renfrewshire area drivers and residents have been advised that gritters were concentrating on main routes in order to preserve their stocks.
Local authorities are also working together to share and re-distribute salt to ensure that supply gets to where it is most needed John SwinneyFinance secretary
Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "The move has been prompted by the severity and duration of the freezing weather.Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "The move has been prompted by the severity and duration of the freezing weather.
"Like other councils we are having to prioritise the use of our available resources."Like other councils we are having to prioritise the use of our available resources.
"The fact that there appears to be little prospect of an imminent let up in the freezing conditions means that we have to concentrate on main routes for the time being."The fact that there appears to be little prospect of an imminent let up in the freezing conditions means that we have to concentrate on main routes for the time being.
"We will not be in a position to salt minor roads or fill grit bins.""We will not be in a position to salt minor roads or fill grit bins."
But Mr Swinney insisted that salt levels were "sufficient at present" and any suggestion to the contrary "is not correct".
He said government officials alerted Transport Scotland to the situation in Fife and as a result fresh supplies of grit were found.
Mr Swinney added: "We continue to liaise regularly with local authorities and trunk road operators in Scotland and across the UK to ensure a co-ordinated approach in coping with these extremely difficult weather conditions.
"Local authorities are also working together to share and re-distribute salt to ensure that supply gets to where it is most needed. "
BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland over the weekend about grit supplies.
Aberdeen council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said there grit levels were low but they were expecting a new delivery.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland reported no problems with supplies.