Extra supplies of salt are due in Pembrokeshire this week.
Pembrokeshire County Council is one of a handful of local authorities in the UK taking delivery of evaporated salt from chemical company Ineos in Cheshire.
Because the form of salt is not currently approved for use on primary and secondary routes on the Pembrokeshire road network, it will be mixed with grit to help de-ice the County’s minor roads and pavements.
The first of what is anticipated to be several loads are expected to be delivered later today (Monday) to contractors, G.D. Harries and Sons, at their Templeton depot.
Council Leader, Councillor John Davies, stressed the deliveries were an addition, not a replacement, to the Authority’s normal source of approved rocksalt for use on the main roads.
He said the Council was continuing to receive supplies – along with other Welsh local authorities – from the ‘Salt Cell’ emergency planning co-ordination body.
This is administered by the Welsh Assembly Government which monitors salt levels and ensures that supplies reach areas which require it most.
All schools in Pembrokeshire were open today apart from Ysgol y Preseli – the secondary school in Crymych which had an Inset day – and Greenhill comprehensive school in Tenby which was partially closed.
All GCSE and A/AS Level examinations were going ahead as planned.
Refuse collections were also beginning to return to normal on the main routes.
Councillor Davies paid tribute to the Council’s workforce, many of whom are working long hours in extreme weather conditions.
He added “Our highway maintenance crews, for example, are working round the clock to ensure the main routes in Pembrokeshire remain open.
“I want to thank them and their families for the sacrifice they are making in these difficult times.”
