Drivers warned over salt shortage

Feb 5 2009

Some roads are becoming "death traps" due to dwindling salt and grit supplies for Britain's treacherous roads, rescue services have said.

With forecasters warning that the freezing blast will continue into the weekend, the AA and RAC called on the Government to offer more help.

Some councils said they were now using salt only on major routes, and Britain's biggest salt supplier, Cheshire-based Salt Union, said staff were working round the clock but still could not meet demand.

Cleveland Potash, the Highways Agency's second supplier, said it had arranged for 40,000 tonnes of salt to be imported from its sister mine in Spain to meet the increased demand.

The AA revealed its insurance arm recorded a 56% leap in claims for shunts caused by the weather.

It said salt and grit shortages had made roads particularly treacherous in Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Derbyshire and parts of Wales.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: "This is a very serious situation with some roads becoming death traps. The Government should step in to assess the situation and ensure that salt stocks are maintained in the places at immediate risk from snow and ice over the coming days."

Most claims have been for shunts and for cars sliding and hitting other cars, lamp posts or fences.

RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink added: "The number of roads that haven't been gritted is a big concern and has a serious impact on driver safety. We feel it's imperative the Government sets up an independent review of how Britain copes with snow and ice to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"With UK motorists giving the Government £45 billion a year in taxes, they will feel pretty annoyed that there isn't enough cash to keep all the road networks moving."