Salt alert: Only a quarter left

Powys is in serious danger of running out of salt should the cold snap continue over the Festive Period.

Despite an expected delivery tomorrow of 1,000 tonnes, Britain’s biggest county will only have enough salt to carry out emergency clearing for 13 more days should there be no more snow, with stocks dropping below 25 per cent of their original capacity.

No more snow is forecasted until Sunday but that is expected to be followed by a warm front on Monday bringing rain to the area which should ease the county’s problems.

A spokesperson told mynewtown: “After last winter, the council took the decision to increase its salt reserve capacity to about 20,000 tonnes (a 20 per cent increase) and at the end of November we had 16,000 and were expected to be fully stocked by Christmas.  However, the early arrival of the harsh weather at the end of November took its toll and on Monday we were down to 8,500.

“Deliveries amounting to 1,200 have been received by the council during this harsh weather but the salt has been used to continue to treat the roads.

“We are expecting another 1,000 this week but are down to about 5,000.”

The spokesperson added that nominated council contractors continue to clear snow from the minor road network after advice that no further heavy snow was forecasted.