Caerphilly county borough council is closely monitoring weather forecasts for the days ahead and is making preparations for a return to sub-zero temperatures.
Securing new deliveries of salt continues to be a problem across Wales and the council’s stockpile remains low. There is a national shortage and salt deliveries are being controlled by the government’s ‘Salt Cell’, but unfortunately there has been little sign of improvement in the supply over recent weeks.
The council currently has approx 700t in its stores, but would need around 4,000t to be fully stocked. The 700t would normally last a few days depending on the severity of the weather.
Cllr Rob Gough, CCBC cabinet member for highways and transportation, said, “We are doing everything we can to make sure the council is geared up in case the bad weather returns. Securing new salt supplies is difficult, so we are trying to procure alternative products which are not as effective in our gritting vehicles, but they can be used to fill salt bins on residential estates or spread by hand in town centres. Our fleets of vehicles will once again focus on gritting the main highway network so inevitably there will be side roads and residential areas that remain untreated so we would urge motorists and pedestrians to take extra care in these conditions,” he added.
Cllr Judith Pritchard, cabinet member for social services said, “I would urge local people to keep in touch with family members and neighbours who may be frail or in need of support in these difficult conditions. During the last cold spell many council staff walked long distances or used 4×4 vehicles to deliver key services to our most vulnerable and it would be great if we all showed this type of resolve and demonstrated a true sense of community spirit by helping others to clear paths or run errands etc.”
