Grit Worries As Winter Weather Edges Closer Feb 6th 2010

 

Grit worries as winter weather edges closer

Feb 6 2010 by Jonathan Evans, South Wales Echo

A REPEAT of the big freeze would cause chaos across South Wales as salt stocks have not been fully replenished, councils revealed yesterday.

South Wales local authorities have just a fraction of their normal reserves of grit and salt – and far less then they held before the cold snap in January.

The warnings emerged as forecasters predicted that more Arctic conditions were heading for Britain and could cause a cold snap lasting for up to 10 days.

South Wales is not likely to be hit as hard as north and north-eastern parts of Britain, according to the Met Office, but there is still the possibility of snow next week.

Welsh Local Government Association chief executive Steve Thomas said local authorities had tried to stock up but there were still problems.

“We are not just talking about Wales here but the whole of the UK,” he said.

“Salt has been distributed across the country and we’ve had our fair share of it but hopefully this latest cold snap won’t be too bad.”

Cardiff council had a further 140 tonnes of grit delivered this week, but its supplies are still only 35% full – at around 650 tonnes. In December, it held 1,500 tonnes.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said its levels are still very low, but it is expecting another delivery on February 15.

Caerphilly council said it had a shortage, with just 500 tonnes of salt in stock.

After JanuaryÂ’s big freeze, salt is being distributed by central government to areas that need it most.

RhiwbinaÂ’s independent councillor Jayne Cowan criticised the way salt is being distributed.

She said: “I was really shocked because I thought the council was making an effort to get back to the maximum levels.

“It’s expected to snow again and Cardiff only had 25% of salt in supply last week: that’s unacceptable.”

Weather forecasters predicted freezing conditions throughout February.

Senior risk meteorologist Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, said: “Another week to 10 days of ice and snow is on the cards, with temperatures to plummet to as low as -12°C in places, along with the return of disruptive snow in many areas.

“The snow will initially affect eastern counties of England and Scotland but will become more widespread as next week unfolds, with most areas eventually seeing significant falls.”

Jonathan Powell, senior weather forecaster with Positive Weather Solutions, said: “Winter will be back with a blast as Arctic air plunges nationwide and it will sink below freezing for most of us as we enter next week.

“There will be some snow on Tuesday or Wednesday, and then again the following week.”

The bitter winter has already left BritainÂ’s roads with more than a million potholes and motoring groups have called on local authorities to be better prepared this time.

A spokeswoman for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “Salt supplies are still low but we are expecting a delivery on February 15 and all the salt bins have also been refilled.”

And a spokesman for Caerphilly council said: “The council currently has approximately 500 tonnes in stock at the moment but we are trying to secure alternative salt products that we can also use over the coming weeks if the cold weather returns.”