Hampshire County Council is Stocking Up on Salt for the Winter

Remember the ice and snow of last winter, the disruption and chaos it caused on the roads?

Well, Hampshire County Council says they are already stocking up on salt to be ready for next winter and introducing other measures to ensure the experiences of last winter are not repeated.

The weather last winter was the worst in the county for 30 years and resulted in days lost at work, schools closing and panic-buying in the shops. Salt levels for the roads were low – there was concern stocks would even run out – and at times gritting was restricted to the major roads, in some cases leaving residents stranded at home.

This winter the county’s stock of salt supplies will be increased from 12,000 to 18,000 tonnes, a new salt barn (under construction near to Micheldever Station) should be operational by December, and 1,000 new salt bins will be provided to be installed at locations identified by town and parish councils and community representatives.

In addition, ‘community salting routes’ will be identified. These are A and B roads which connect to the priority 1 and 2 routes as well as providing access to emergency services, the larger schools, colleges, shopping and industrial centres and which will be treated using mini-salt spreaders.

Councillor Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “We hope that last year’s extreme weather will not be repeated, but if it is then we will have learned from our experience and taken steps to improve our resilience by increasing our salt stocks, supplying additional salt bins and implementing new community salting routes.”

Councillor Thornber also referred to the reluctance to help others many people experienced during the bad weather due to fear of litigation and reported, “This issue, which has been taken up nationally by the Local Government Association, is yet to be resolved.”

A strategic review of the County Council’s winter resilience is being undertaken by the Policy and Resources Select Committee and the findings are to be reported to Cabinet in September.

Any thoughts in Hedge End on the measures outlined above?