County Council says no further cutbacks in gritting roads

FOLLOWING a request from the Department for Transport to reduce salt usage further, Hertfordshire Highways assured residents this week they will not have to make further cuts to salting main roads at the moment.

The Department for Transport announced that councils need to cut back by between 40 to 50 per cent of the usage that was seen last week at the height of the big freeze.

Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said: "The restricted network we implemented on Monday morning means that we have already complied with this new expectation from Government.

"We will continue to keep salting A and B roads, plus roads that provide access to essential emergency services like hospitals and key fire stations.

"The restricted network for salting has been developed following consultation with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service and the county council's Passenger Transport Unit. We are also continuing to work closely with the police during this period to ensure that the most essential public services continue.

"We don't like having to cut back on our routes. However, we recognise its inevitability in the face of the continued national salt shortage, and the reduced quantities of salt that we are getting through central government's 'Salt Cell' system."

Hertfordshire Highways has secured further supplies of salt/sand mix for use on pavements. District councils were informed that they can collect a further ten tonnes each today and salt bins are starting to be refilled again.

Central Bed Councils says they have 600 tonnes of gritting salt in stock enough for 18 more runs but are only able to grit A and B roads.