Councils confident on grit supplies

Grit supplies in the Black Country were still well-stocked, councils insisted today, as lorries treated main roads again today.

Gritters were out from 1am as more snow fell across the region.

Despite national reports council stocks of grit and salt are running desperately low, authorities in the West Midlands say they have enough to keep roads safe.

In Staffordshire, the council insisted it did have enough supplies left to carry on treating roads – despiet announcing last week that it was reducing the number of routes it would grit.

Walsall Council still has 1,500 tons of grit in store – enough to last two weeks.

Spokeswoman Marion Parry said: "Our gritters were out at 1am today and the clear roads are testament to this.

"We have around 1,500 tonnes of grit left which is equivalent to 16 days' worth of gritting twice a day."

In Sandwell the gritters were out at 9pm last night and 3am today, treating main routes throughout the borough.

Sandwell Council also has around 1,500 tons of grit supplies left expected to last around 16 days.

Cabinet member for transport at Dudley Council Angus Adams said: "We used 120 tonnes of grit last night, the roads needed several treatments because of the snowfall.

"We are not expecting much snow, if any, today."

Dudley Council spokesman Chris Howes said: "While there are currently 970 tonnes on site, we are in consultation at a national level over rationing grit levels. This will determine the use of current stocks and any future deliveries." Meanwhile Birmingham City Council has hit back at claims that they could run out by tomorrow.

Despite a heavy gritting schedule over the last two weeks, a statement issued today said there was "no imminent threat of running short of grit."

The council still has supplies and is expecting a delivery in the next 24 hours to replenish stocks.

Overnight gritters were out twice in the city, with the last truck returning at 7.45am. It was the 27th consecutive night the trucks had been out treating the roads, smashing the previous record of 14 nights.

Worcestershire County Council is set to continue its policy of gritting main roads to keep traffic flowing across the region.

It is also using its supply of grit-salt to fill bins which are empty.

Bosses say they have enough to last for around a fortnight.

In Walsall, council officers are still appealing for information after entire grit bins were stolen.

There have also been several reports of motorists filling their car boots with bags of grit from the borough's 170 grit bins.

Transport chiefs say it costs £3,000 a time to replenish the bins. Police are looking into the thefts. To report incidents of grit theft call West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000.