Oldham’s fury at salt shake-up

One of the men behind Oldham’s successful snow-beating operation will today challenge the Government over its plans to slash salt supplies.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the environment, said the decision was very bad news.

He added “I can’t understand the Government’s thinking. I know there are big problems in the south but the majority of their roads run on flat lands.

“Here, our roads run across hills and valleys creating far more pressing problems for travellers. It’s really bad that they want to take control.”

By careful planning and management, Oldham’s eight-strong gritting convoy has kept key roads open during the recent severe weather.

Councillor Alcock also revealed Oldham has helped other local councils who had run into trouble over supplies of salt on two occasions.

“We still have enough salt until Friday but our teams were out again overnight handling very icy conditions so this will eat into our supplies,” he added.

The Highways Agency, which grits all motorways and some A-roads, said it was assisting councils struggling to keep roads gritted. It is putting 25,000 tonnes of salt on main roads a day, but producers can only deliver 30,000 tonnes a week.

Oldham’s highways supremo Tony Noblet said: “The Government is grandstanding. Half the borough’s roads are in high areas with steep roads and valleys.

“We have made provision for that in ensuring we have enough salt. Our suppliers have been magnificent.

“We would certainly plead a case for more salt because of our location.”