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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Grit supplies 'not running out' | Grit supplies 'not running out' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish government has insisted salt and grit supplies are not running out as the winter freeze continues. | The Scottish government has insisted salt and grit supplies are not running out as the winter freeze continues. |
| The claim came as Fife Council warned it was running out of supplies and Renfrewshire Council said it would only grit major roads. | The claim came as Fife Council warned it was running out of supplies and Renfrewshire Council said it would only grit major roads. |
| 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. |
| But Finance Secretary John Swinney said there was a "very substantial" supply of salt available across Scotland. | But Finance Secretary John Swinney said there was a "very substantial" supply of salt available across Scotland. |
| Additional supply | Additional supply |
| The minister said there were "pinch-points" due to issues around delivery. | The minister said there were "pinch-points" due to issues around delivery. |
| He said 18 councils would receive supplies in the next two days. | He said 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 out Fife Council to make sure they get over the particular difficulties they have got," Mr Swinney said. | "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. | 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." | "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." |
| 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. |
| We will not be in a position to salt minor roads or fill grit bins. Councillor Marie McGurkRenfrewshire Council | We will not be in a position to salt minor roads or fill grit bins. Councillor Marie McGurkRenfrewshire Council |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| Resilience unit | Resilience unit |
| 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." |
| BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland over the weekend. | BBC Scotland contacted local authorities in Scotland over the weekend. |
| Aberdeen City Council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said grit levels were low but they were expecting a new delivery. | Aberdeen City Council said supplies were satisfactory and Aberdeenshire Council said grit levels were low but they were expecting a new delivery. |
| East Dunbartonshire said they had supplies for two or three days. | 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. |
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