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| 'No road grit left' says council | 'No road grit left' says council |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Scottish government has insisted there are "very substantial" supplies of salt and grit for Scotland's roads, as Fife Council said it had run out. | The Scottish government has insisted there are "very substantial" supplies of salt and grit for Scotland's roads, as Fife Council said it had run out. |
| Motoring groups predicted more travel misery as people return to work in the coming days after the festive break. | Motoring groups predicted more travel misery as people return to work in the coming days after the festive break. |
| Fife Council said the "most prolonged period" of freezing weather for 20 years had left supplies exhausted. | Fife Council said the "most prolonged period" of freezing weather for 20 years had left supplies exhausted. |
| But Finance Secretary John Swinney said there was plenty of salt available but there were issues around delivery. | But Finance Secretary John Swinney said there was plenty of salt available but there were issues around delivery. |
| There have been severe weather warnings issued for many parts of Scotland. | |
| More than 4,000 tonnes of salt have arrived by ship at Aberdeen harbour. | |
| 'Pinch-points' | |
| Twenty lorries will transport the cargo to destinations across the north. | Twenty lorries will transport the cargo to destinations across the north. |
| Meanwhile, another ship was understood to have delivered salt at Rosyth in Fife. | Meanwhile, another ship was understood to have delivered salt at Rosyth in Fife. |
| Mr Swinney said there were "pinch-points" but 18 councils would receive supplies in the next two days. | Mr Swinney said there were "pinch-points" but 18 councils would receive supplies in the next two days. |
| "From the information I have, the delivery of salt is expected to Fife tomorrow. So we will be helping Fife Council to make sure they get over the particular difficulties they have got," the minister said. | "From the information I have, the delivery of salt is expected to Fife tomorrow. So we will be helping Fife Council to make sure they get over the particular difficulties they have got," the minister said. |
| He added: "There is a lot of supply around, we just have to make sure it is in the right places. | He added: "There is a lot of supply around, we just have to make sure it is in the right places. |
| We have been let down quite badly by our supplier Bob McLellanFife Council | We have been let down quite badly by our supplier Bob McLellanFife Council |
| "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." | "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." |
| However, Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, told the BBC there was "virtually no salt left at all". | However, Bob McLellan, head of transportation at Fife Council, told the BBC there was "virtually no salt left at all". |
| He said: "We have been aware since before Christmas of the levels of salt going down dramatically. | He said: "We have been aware since before Christmas of the levels of salt going down dramatically. |
| "We have been liaising with all other councils and with the Scottish government's resilience unit, with a view to trying to secure more salt for Fife. | "We have been liaising with all other councils and with the Scottish government's resilience unit, with a view to trying to secure more salt for Fife. |
| "At the moment, we have carried out one last pre-grit and we have run out." | "At the moment, we have carried out one last pre-grit and we have run out." |
| Mr McLellan said the council was expecting a delivery on Tuesday but did not know how large that would be. | Mr McLellan said the council was expecting a delivery on Tuesday but did not know how large that would be. |
| Freezing temperatures | |
| He added: "If our salt stock had been at the levels they should have been we would have been alright for four weeks. | He added: "If our salt stock had been at the levels they should have been we would have been alright for four weeks. |
| "We have been let down quite badly by our supplier but having said that the suppliers are having to keep all the councils in the UK happy in very difficult times." | "We have been let down quite badly by our supplier but having said that the suppliers are having to keep all the councils in the UK happy in very difficult times." |
| Councils across Scotland have faced many days of snow and ice | |
| 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. |
| Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "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. | Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "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." |
| North Lanarkshire Council said salt supplies were low and that it would not be clearing or gritting school car parks and side streets ahead of schools re-opening on Tuesday. | North Lanarkshire Council said salt supplies were low and that it would not be clearing or gritting school car parks and side streets ahead of schools re-opening on Tuesday. |
| A spokesman added: "It is unlikely side streets will be cleared and school transport will set down on main roads. | A spokesman added: "It is unlikely side streets will be cleared and school transport will set down on main roads. |
| "Vehicle access to schools will be difficult and we would ask all road users to be extra cautious." | "Vehicle access to schools will be difficult and we would ask all road users to be extra cautious." |
| Scottish Labour transport spokesman Charlie Gordon said: "The Scottish government appears to be saying this morning that everything is under control but the evidence does not support that with many roads and pavements still covered by snow and ice. | Scottish Labour transport spokesman Charlie Gordon said: "The Scottish government appears to be saying this morning that everything is under control but the evidence does not support that with many roads and pavements still covered by snow and ice. |
| "With more freezing temperatures on their way it's vital that the government acts to keep Scotland moving." | "With more freezing temperatures on their way it's vital that the government acts to keep Scotland moving." |
| Fresh supplies | |
| BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland to assess the situation. | |
| Aberdeen City Council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said grit levels were low, ahead of a new delivery. | Aberdeen City Council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said grit levels were low, ahead of a new delivery. |
| Moray Council said it had enough supply for 10 days for its 36 gritters, with another delivery due at Buckie Harbour on Friday. | Moray Council said it had enough supply for 10 days for its 36 gritters, with another delivery due at Buckie Harbour on Friday. |
| Shetland Islands Council said fresh supplies were coming in later this week and that it had enough to last until then. | Shetland Islands Council said fresh supplies were coming in later this week and that it had enough to last until then. |
| Orkney Islands Council said it was running short of salt and was having to increase the ratio of gravel to salt the gritters are spreading. It has received some salt from Shetland. | Orkney Islands Council said it was running short of salt and was having to increase the ratio of gravel to salt the gritters are spreading. It has received some salt from Shetland. |
| East Dunbartonshire said they had enough for two or three days. | East Dunbartonshire said they had enough for two or three days. |
| Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland reported no problems with supplies. | Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland reported no problems with supplies. |
| Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |