GRIT stocks have been increased in Solihull as winter starts to bite.
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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has 4,000 tonnes of salt compared to 3,000 at the beginning of the season last year.
It was criticised as supplies were rationed when snow hit the borough in December and January.
Gritters will be on permanent call from Monday next week. The council says it has 20 drivers and nine vehicles.
The council said grit bins would be filled with salt but said residents must use them to clear public roads and footpaths only.
It cut bin numbers from 312 to 148 in 2008 to save cash. It's chief executive admitted he had 'mijudged' the snowfall as the freeze continued to bite in January.
Councillor David Jamieson, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “Keeping the roads safe and useable during the winter is our top priority, which is why we have brought in enough salt to cover a repeat of last winter and we will do our upmost to make sure this winter we keep the roads clear and safe for our residents.
“Our gritting team does a fantastic job every single winter and I have every confidence they will do another sterling job this year – no matter how bad the weather gets.
“The last two winters in Solihull have been exceptionally bad but we are even better prepared for whatever this winter has to throw at us.”
And he urged residents not to fear legal action from anyone who fell outside their property.
He said: “There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property or pathways to it.
“If an accident did happen, it's highly unlikely that you would be sued as long as you use common sense to make sure that you don't make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before.
“Don’t use hot water to clear it, as this could cause black ice, and remember to spread salt on areas you have cleared to stop ice forming – cooking salt will work.”
