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/scotland/8438717.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Road grit levels 'critically low' Road grit levels 'critically low'
(20 minutes later)
Salt and grit needed to treat icy roads during the cold weather have reached "critically low" levels, according to two local authorities.Salt and grit needed to treat icy roads during the cold weather have reached "critically low" levels, according to two local authorities.
Fife and Renfrewshire councils said there would be "significant" problems if new supplies were not delivered immediately.Fife and Renfrewshire councils said there would be "significant" problems if new supplies were not delivered immediately.
The Scottish government said councils had sufficient supplies of road grit.The Scottish government said councils had sufficient supplies of road grit.
Finance Secretary John Swinney insisted that when he heard about Fife's plight new supplies of salt were sourced.Finance Secretary John Swinney insisted that when he heard about Fife's plight new supplies of salt were sourced.
Additional supplyAdditional supply
Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, told BBC Scotland that supplies of grit would run out on Monday morning.Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, told BBC Scotland that supplies of grit would run out on Monday morning.
He said: "We did receive an additional supply of salt yesterday but at a very low level - 50 tonnes.He said: "We did receive an additional supply of salt yesterday but at a very low level - 50 tonnes.
"To put that in perspective we are at the moment expending between 500 and 600 tonnes, sometimes up to 1,000 tonnes, per day."To put that in perspective we are at the moment expending between 500 and 600 tonnes, sometimes up to 1,000 tonnes, per day.
"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.""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."
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 secretaryLocal 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". Resilience unit
He said government officials alerted Transport Scotland to the situation in Fife and as a result fresh supplies of grit were found. But Mr Swinney said there was a "very substantial supply" of salt available right across Scotland.
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. The minister said there were "pinch-points" due to issues around delivery.
"Local authorities are also working together to share and re-distribute salt to ensure that supply gets to where it is most needed. " He said 18 councils would receive supplies in the next two days.
BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland over the weekend about grit supplies. "From the information I have, the delivery of salt is expected to Fife tomorrow. So we will be helping out Fife Council to make sure they get over the particular difficulties they have got," Mr Swinney said.
He added: "There is a lot of supply around, we just have to make sure it is in the right places.
"That is why the resilience unit of the Scottish government has collated the information about where salt supplies exist about grit supplies and we will work as best we can to make sure that supply reaches the right parts of Scotland."
BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland over the weekend.
Aberdeen council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said there grit levels were low but they were expecting a new delivery.Aberdeen council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said there grit levels were low but they were expecting a new delivery.
East Dunbartonshire said they had supplies for two or three days.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland reported no problems with supplies.Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland reported no problems with supplies.