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Salt convoy due as freeze goes on Salt convoy due as freeze goes on
(10 minutes later)
A fleet of lorries is due to leave a depot in Cheshire loaded with emergency supplies of salt for hard-pressed councils as the cold spell continues.A fleet of lorries is due to leave a depot in Cheshire loaded with emergency supplies of salt for hard-pressed councils as the cold spell continues.
Meanwhile, the National Grid has issued its third "balancing alert" in a week, aimed at adjusting gas supplies.Meanwhile, the National Grid has issued its third "balancing alert" in a week, aimed at adjusting gas supplies.
Gordon Brown has pledged the UK's gas supplies will not run out during the current cold snap, and that road salt will get to "where it is most needed".Gordon Brown has pledged the UK's gas supplies will not run out during the current cold snap, and that road salt will get to "where it is most needed".
More snow has been falling in eastern and southern parts of Britain.More snow has been falling in eastern and southern parts of Britain.
The PM acknowledged the current "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm".The PM acknowledged the current "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm".
Forecast fearsForecast fears
Chemical firm Ineos said it had diverted 12,000 tonnes of white salt for use on Britain's roads after it was approached by several councils. The salt had been earmarked for food and chlorine production in Germany.Chemical firm Ineos said it had diverted 12,000 tonnes of white salt for use on Britain's roads after it was approached by several councils. The salt had been earmarked for food and chlorine production in Germany.
The first 50 trucks will leave its distribution facility in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Sunday morning and a further 50 are scheduled to leave on Monday.The first 50 trucks will leave its distribution facility in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Sunday morning and a further 50 are scheduled to leave on Monday.
BBC forecasters say freezing conditions will continue until at least Wednesday, and probably longer.BBC forecasters say freezing conditions will continue until at least Wednesday, and probably longer.
The forecast has led to fears there will not be enough salt to grit the roads, with local authorities agreeing to cut its use by 25% in a bid to preserve dwindling supplies.The forecast has led to fears there will not be enough salt to grit the roads, with local authorities agreeing to cut its use by 25% in a bid to preserve dwindling supplies.
The Highways Agency has stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England and salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January.The Highways Agency has stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England and salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January.
But the agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well" and that it had sufficient stocks for the conditions. The Highways Agency's David Grunwell told the BBC: "We've got sufficient supplies to treat the strategic road network at the moment given the current Met Office forecast.
"We're confident that we'll get the supplies that we need. Central government are now providing advice nationally to salt suppliers and they are advising where the priorities are greatest across the country."
The AA said it raised concerns about salt supplies with the Local Government Association (LGA) before Christmas.The AA said it raised concerns about salt supplies with the Local Government Association (LGA) before Christmas.
Spokesman Paul Watters told the BBC councils had reduced stocks by 250,000 tonnes during the past 10 years.Spokesman Paul Watters told the BBC councils had reduced stocks by 250,000 tonnes during the past 10 years.
The Conservatives said the decision to ration salt was "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.The Conservatives said the decision to ration salt was "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.
Gas suppliesGas supplies
National Grid had already issued and lifted two "balancing alerts" warning of a potential shortfall in supplies.National Grid had already issued and lifted two "balancing alerts" warning of a potential shortfall in supplies.
These alerts help the market to consider increasing gas supplies, and encourage electricity providers to use alternative fuels such as coal.These alerts help the market to consider increasing gas supplies, and encourage electricity providers to use alternative fuels such as coal.
FROZEN BRITAIN Frozen Britain seen from above Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weatherFROZEN BRITAIN Frozen Britain seen from above Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather
A spokeswoman said the third alert was not due to the weather conditions but problems in the Norwegian gas fields. National Grid said the third alert was not due to the weather conditions but problems in the Norwegian gas fields. The alert was lifted at 0600 GMT on Sunday.
The alert was lifted at 0600 GMT on Sunday. A spokesman said: "The market responded to the alert. More supplies came through."
She said a shortfall of 35 million cubic metres (mcm) was predicted, out of the 441 mcm needed.
The spokeswoman said the market had already responded and supplies had come in from other sources.
Earlier Mr Brown said the distributor had confirmed it expected to meet demand.Earlier Mr Brown said the distributor had confirmed it expected to meet demand.
"Supplies are not running out," the prime minister said in his podcast issued from Downing Street."Supplies are not running out," the prime minister said in his podcast issued from Downing Street.
He added: "We've got plenty of gas in our own back yard - the North Sea - and we also have access to the large reserves in Norway and Netherlands via pipelines."He added: "We've got plenty of gas in our own back yard - the North Sea - and we also have access to the large reserves in Norway and Netherlands via pipelines."
Weather deathsWeather deaths
Charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring.Charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health websiteWEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website
The Red Cross has said it was having one of its busiest periods in 30 years as volunteers help the emergency services and provide assistance to people in need.The Red Cross has said it was having one of its busiest periods in 30 years as volunteers help the emergency services and provide assistance to people in need.
Police have confirmed two more weather-related deaths, taking the total to 26.Police have confirmed two more weather-related deaths, taking the total to 26.
On Saturday, police confirmed a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley and a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle.On Saturday, police confirmed a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley and a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle.
Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District.Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District.
Kent Police have said the Army is on stand-by should the weather get worse and advised people to stay at home unless it is necessary to go out.Kent Police have said the Army is on stand-by should the weather get worse and advised people to stay at home unless it is necessary to go out.
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHERFORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game? How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend?
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