Welsh councils’ salt supplies diminishing and under extreme pressure as the big freeze continues.
In response to the current position on local authority salt supplies, Steve Thomas Welsh Local Government Association Chief Executive said:
“The continued persistence of sub-zero temperatures across Wales combined with the task of tackling heavy snowstorms over the past two days has placed tremendous strain on council resources. Subsequently, there are significant re-supply issues emerging across Wales with stocks in some authorities as low as 24 hours worth of salt.”
“At a UK level the emergency planning coordination body ‘Salt Cell’ has been convened with membership including the Department of Transport, Trunk Roads Agencies, the devolved administrations, local government associations and salt suppliers. This body will seek to prioritise deliveries to key areas across the UK over the next week where they are urgently needed.”
“The reality however is that there is little chance of supplies equalling demand over the next five days and possibly longer. Salt Cell will need to directly address these problems, their implications and logistics.”
“Dealing with the scale of demand from all local authorities across the UK will inevitably mean that there will be shortages and that some authorities will continue to see their supplies run down to critically low levels. As such, it anticipated that many schools across Wales will remain closed as access areas and playgrounds remain treacherous and potentially a risk to children’s safety. This is particularly the case in rural areas which have been heavily affected by snow for many weeks and where small schools predominate.”
“We seek continued public forbearance and assistance over a number of common sense measures. It is vital that drivers slow down to reflect the current road conditions. We also ask neighbours to check on people who live nearby and who may be frail or may have physical or other support needs. Pavements in many areas could also remain frozen as generally they are not being prioritised for salting as councils work to keep the primary road networks open and safe. As such, extreme care should be taken by the public when travelling either by foot or by car.”
