Highland emergency restrictions on the use of road salt removed

A 2,000 Tonne load of salt delivered to Inverness yesterday (24 January 2010) has boosted total stock on salt for Highland Council roads to 14,800 Tonnes.

With a further 8,300 Tonnes due later in the week, stocks are now sustainably above the 12,800 Tonne threshold at which Councillors decided last week that restrictions should be lifted.

Of the recent deliveries, 7,600 Tonnes has come from the Government’s strategic stock and the remainder from our usual supplier. A total of 57,000 Tonnes has been used so far this winter.

The restrictions were imposed on 23 December when stocks were dwindling and there were no guaranteed deliveries on the way.

The improved rate of delivery, together with a few days milder weather, has allowed stocks to recover. The use of salt/sand mix on priority 3 and 4 routes, instead of just sand, will recommence from tomorrow morning, 26 January, while higher priority routes may be treated with pure salt.

The public are still advised to be cautious when travelling in adverse weather and to remember that the application of salt cannot guarantee that roads will be ice free.