Weather brings cash headache

Unpredictable weather conditions are hitting Staffordshire County Council in the pocket, as highways bosses battle to stay one step ahead of gales and flash flooding.

The recent turbulent weather has been causing headaches for the team, particularly after £700,000 of cash was slashed from winter maintenance budgets to block a funding gap in January 2005 - money being taken over a four-year period.

Workers revealed that while the authority is saving money on road salt due to the unusually mild winter, it is consequently facing more problems with flooding, with the department receiving more than 400 calls for help in just six hours during Thursday's storms.

Jeremy Herbert, spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: "This winter has been the mildest on record. The gritters have only been out in Lichfield nine times on average in November and December.

"In the Moorlands they have been out over 30 times - but that is much lower than an average November and December.

Salting

"The team may have had less salting than normal, but floods and other weather extremes have added to their workload."

Mr Herbert added: "With climate change kicking in and weather patterns getting increasingly unpredictable and extreme Staffordshire Highways has an extremely difficult job ensuring that it can cope with the demands being placed upon it."

With extra pressures on budgets Staffordshire Highways was every year delivering more for less, he said.

Sub zero temperatures are set for the West Midlands with wintry showers and sleet also predicted in some parts over the next few days.

Motorists have been warned to be vigilant.