The government’s ludicrously-named “Salt Cell” (do they meet in a salt cellar?) gathered this morning. I’m told the result is bad for motorists in those parts of London still afflicted with deep snow (note to London-based journalists: just because it’s melted here doesn’t mean the issue has gone away)
Anyway, I hear there is likely to be an announcement this afternoon: apparently the Highways Agency has been told to cut salt use by another 10 per cent and councils by another 25 per cent.
Lord Adonis, transport secretary, ordered a 25 per cent cut last Friday. You don’t have to be a maths genius to work out that – if my numbers are correct – councils will now have to use only half of the salt they were previously using. For some drivers that could be pose serious problems.
UPDATE
I’m told the first draft has now been written and both councils and the Highways Agency will now have to impose salt cuts of 15-25 per cent (meaning cuts of 40-50 per cent on what they were using a week ago). The situation could still change.
FURTHER UPDATE
Yep. The roads are going to have half their usual salt.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey