GRIT use is being slashed by 25 per cent in Solihull after a demand to cut back from the Government.Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council said it will stop filling grit bins and answering gritting requests for more minor roads because of the cutback.
And it warned it could have to cut gritting usage by up to 60 per cent and grit only A and B roads from Saturday if deliveries do not arrive (click here for a list of these roads).
It comes as drivers hit out at the Conservative-controlled authority for the state of the roads – and its chief executive said ‘every effort’ was being made to keep services going.
The Government is now co-ordinating how much grit councils get.
A council statement said: “Residents and visitors to our borough will be aware of the national shortage of salt for our roads and although Solihull Council learned from the lessons of last winter and increased significantly their pre-season salt stocks, we have now been asked by Govt to reduce our usage by 25 per cent.
“We have also been asked to plan for worst case scenarios which could result in further reductions of potentially 40 to 60 per cent.”
It says: “Because of this, from today, the council will stop filling of grit bins with salt and not be able to respond to requests to carry out gritting on routes which are not on our strategic network unless there is an emergency.”
Gritting only A and B roads would “conserve our existing salt stock as orders to ensure the level of service we have been providing to date are unlikely to be delivered at this time.”
It says: “Other roads which have been treated over the last few days will not be treated after today.”
The statement finishes: “We do sympathise with people who are travelling around the borough in the current exceptionally bad weather, however do hope you will understand our reasons for taking this course of action.”
In another statement, chief executive Mark Rogers says: “Public services locally and nationally continue to be challenged by the persistent adverse weather conditions, but every effort is being made in Solihull to overcome the difficulties and I am most appreciative of the efforts of my teams, and the patience and support of our communities.”
He says the cold snap “does not appear to be abating” but conditions on roads and pathways are generally improving.
Mr Rogers says: “If this does not sound too much like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, wrap up warm, wear some sturdy footwear and - whether walking or driving - set off earlier than usual.”
And he says the council is ‘doing everything we can’ to pick up missed bin collections.
Glyn Simpson wrote on Twitter today: “Turned around and headed back home. Roads out of Knowle not gritted and treacherous.”
Loosea said: “Solihull clearly hasn’t been gritted. Main Warwick Road is ridiculous - turned back as travelled about 5 metres in 30 mins and slippy as hell!”
Darrenkangurs said: “Major roads in Solihull / Shirley haven't been treated and we had 1-2 inches of snow overnight. Well done to the council.”
Residents are being urged to check the council’s website and Twitter page for the latest information.
Conservative Meriden MP – who has been strongly critical of the Government over gritting supplies – praised SMBC for “their prompt response to keeping people well informed in the cold weather crisis” via the web.
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