Many councils are running low on supplies of grit and salt Local authorities are battling to keep major routes clear as gritting salt is rationed and the big freeze continues.The Local Government Association said it was "dealing with the problem", major roads would be gritted and people would still be able to "get around". But the AA said some roads "may no longer be safe" after the government asked councils to conserve salt stocks. Local authorities have agreed to cut salt use by 25% in an attempt to preserve dwindling supplies. The Highways Agency has already stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England and the government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January. The agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well considering the conditions". He added: "We have sufficient salt stocks given the weather conditions and given the weather forecast that we're working to.[Read more...]