Information on Loughborough

Council stocks up for winter

Posted on 28/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Cabinet Office

28 August 2009

Council stocks up for winter

Stocks of salt are already being delivered to Leicestershire, as the County Council prepares for any snow or ice this winter.

The County Council is taking deliveries of an extra 8,000 tonnes of salt, to ensure its salt barns are fully stocked for the start of the gritting season in October.

The news comes as the Council’s Cabinet reviews its winter maintenance policy, following the most severe snow and ice since 1991.

Last winter, the Council used 16,423 tonnes of salt on 17 precautionary gritting runs – 60 per cent more salt than usual. The County Council will grit 45 per cent of the road network when ice is predicted.

Lesley Pendleton, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I know it seems strange to be stocking up on salt in August, but we want to make sure that we’re ready for when severe winter weather arrives.”

The Council’s policy aims to:

  • Ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians
  • Minimise delays, accidents and damage to the highway
  • Undertake the winter service effectively and efficiently.

Gritting takes place along most A roads, some B and C class roads, major commuter and bus routes and, as far as possible, at least one route into all villages.

The Cabinet will discuss the report on September 8.