West Lothian grit supplies "critically" low
GRIT supplies in West Lothian have reached "critically" low levels and could run out as council gritters struggle to cope with the big freeze.
The area is now at serious risk of running out of grit as the council's delivery on Monday was 500 tonnes less than it expected due to national demand.
West Lothian Council says its gritters have been forced to treat main routes up to six times a day as temperatures across the county plummet, and if snow keeps falling supplies of grit could be used up before another delivery is due next week.
A council spokeswoman said: "We are currently at critical levels in terms of our salt supplies and must conserve these for our main routes.
"For example, during the recent snow conditions we have regularly treated our major routes five or six times in a single 24-hour period.
"The severe freezing conditions hitting Scotland means that we are continuing to grit our primary routes several times a day. West Lothian Council has already used more salt/grit in the last three weeks than we use in an average winter.
"We have already used almost 12,000 tonnes this winter. Our next delivery is due on Monday, 11 January, however, we expect this to be restricted to 1,000 tonnes. Further severe weather is expected and future salt supplies will be under extreme pressure."
The council said contingencies were in place with contractors to clear paths and side roads while the priority remained clearing main routes for essential travel.
This includes distribution lorries to deliver to shops, for residents to travel to work, shop and access hospitals and health centres.
Furthermore, fire and rescue, police and ambulance services need the main routes to react to emergencies as quickly as they can.
Thirty-four mini-tractors have been deployed throughout the area on footpaths and pavements.
"We are actively pursuing additional salt supplies," added the spokeswoman. "However, we are aware that every other council in the UK is in a similar position.
"We are also sourcing whindust and ash, which will be used in residential areas. We recognise that this is not as effective than salt nevertheless this will give assistance. The amount of salt used is directly affected by the weather."
Every winter West Lothian Council has to treat 950km of roads and around 1,000km of footways to combat the effects of bad weather.
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Weather for Bathgate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
