13/1/2010 - County's priority roads continue to be treated as more snow is predicted : Cumbria County Council

Cumbria County Council's fleet of 30 gritters are continuing to treat the county's main priority routes as the most severe cold spell in 29 years continues.

Through sensible use of its existing stocks of rock salt, together with the acquisition of additional industrial white salt reserves which can be mixed with small rock particles to form a salty grit, Cumbria's priority one and two roads are still being gritted and further gritting runs are being carried out this afternoon. The county council is also ensuring it is adhering to the rock salt conservation measures ordered by the Department for Transport, which is co-ordinating the supply of rock salt nationally.

Current stocks of rock salt in Cumbria total 1,100 tonnes. There are also 4,000 tonnes of industrial salt stored in the county to make the salty grit mix which can also be spread on roads. Further supplies of industrial salt are being sourced and Cumbria is in daily contact with the Department for Transport as rock salt stocks are monitored nationally. The county council is confident that its priority one and two routes as well as pedestrian footways in some areas of the county's larger towns will still be treated with salt and grit, in accordance with its stated winter maintenance policy. As with previous winters, it does not treat all roads and pavements in the county.

The county council has also been working closely with parish and district councils to replenish salt and grit stocks where there is known to be a local shortage. Anyone wishing to request more supplies for a grit bin or salt heap can contact their parish council or the Highways Hotline.

A helpful guide and some frequently asked questions on how the county council carries out winter maintenance is available at:

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/snow/grittingfaqs.asp

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/highways-pavements/highway-maintenance/wintermaintenance/roadswinter.asp

The county council is also keen to dispel some myths that have been circulating about the potential liability people could face if they grit public highways and pavements. There have been reports that shopkeepers have been reluctant to grit areas outside their own shop fronts for fear that they are then assuming the liability for maintaining that area and could be sued if a pedestrian slips and falls. The law is clear that there is no liability for people who help grit areas unless it is in a completely negligent manner and in a reckless fashion. Cumbria County Council encourages the public to use the 9,500 salt heaps and grit bins dotted around the county to help keep the public highways safe and usable.

Third priority routes and minor roads with salt heaps and grit bins on them are continuing to be treated with sea washed stone chippings from a local Cumbrian supplier. The small fragments of rock are helping vehicles to gain some traction on the roads compacted with snow and ice.

The council's highways service and its fleet of gritters and road maintenance vehicles have now completed a replenishment of all the county's 9,500 salt heaps and grit bins with the salty grit mixture –but with high demand levels it's possible that many will be empty again very quickly.

The county council is urging people to think of everyone in their community and use stocks sensibly on public highways rather than private property.