Emergency routes only to be gritted as salt runs low

Only part of a delivery of salt expected between Christmas and New Year was delivered as snow has preventing travel by lorries from the quarry in Cheshire.
It is hoped that more stocks will arrive this week, having been ordered in mid December, the council said in a statement.
It said: " While highways managers are chasing delivery from suppliers, deliveries are not guaranteed given the current national position. Until a full supply has arrived TBS (the council's transport department) has moved to gritting emergency routes only to ensure salt levels last for the current snow conditions and leave sufficient for the foreseeable future."
Val Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for transportation, held an emergency meeting today with council bosses to decide how to make limited stocks last.
She said in a statement this afternoon: "Transport for Buckinghamshire will be working around the clock to keep the main network as clear as possible and plough where necessary. Given the expected conditions, we would urge drivers to only make their journey if absolutely necessary and if they have to travel to take extra care."
Clear skies and a north-easterly breeze will reduce air temperatures to an expected minus 8 degrees tonight, which will push road temperatures to around minus 9 degrees.
All main routes in Buckinghamshire will continue to be treated throughout the night, but Network Operations Manager Mark Averill warned that with road surface temperatures below minus 7 deg C, salt becomes less effective.
He said icy conditions on roads and pavements are expected on Wednesday morning, and motorists are advised to make only essential journeys. For essential journeys drivers are advised to go prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm clothing, sturdy footwear, blanket, hot drink, and a full tank of fuel.