Update on Highland Council Salt Supplies

The Highland Council’s Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing has given a reassurance that the Council is not running low on salt and all depots across the Highlands have supplies.

He said:  “We currently have 17,000 tonnes of salt in supply throughout the Highlands and are making internal movements of salt stock throughout our 41 depots to where the need is greatest.

“30,000 tonnes of rock salt are on order from our supplier in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland and we are expecting a 4,600 tonne delivery to be shipped into Invergordon next week.

“Salt works most effectively in a temperature of plus or minus 2 degrees and its effectiveness becomes progressively less efficient towards –7 degrees. We are therefore using a mix of salt and sand as treatment on our roads in severve weather conditions.”

With the weather forecasters highlighting an expected significant rise in temperature over the next few days, Councillor Laing also reminded property owners of their responsibility for the safety of members of the public who may be at risk from falling icicles.

He said: “Some substantial icicles have developed under the eaves of some buildings and where these are hanging above the road or pavement they may pose a threat to the public.  With a thaw likely to develop in the next day or two some of these icicles are liable to come crashing down.  It is the responsibility of the building owner to do what they can to mitigate the risk to the public.”