This national situation, confirmed by the Highways Agency, has resulted in suppliers being unable to meet top-up requests from many local authorities, including West Berkshire. Current stocks in West Berkshire will only allow salt-gritting for three days, and only of the District's primary network, which represents 38% of the District's roads. The gritting of this network uses 50 tonnes of salt on each run. There are 210 tonnes left at the district's depot, which normally holds 1,000 tonnes.
West Berkshire is better placed than some councils as it shares a depot with the Highways Agency, which enables the best use to be made of available stocks.
Gritting routes will therefore have to be prioritised. The District's network of secondary roads will not be re-gritted until further supplies are obtained, and roadside salt bins will not be replenished.
West Berkshire highways officers have been investigating all ways of obtaining more salt, including from other districts, and have obtained a further 100 tonnes for delivery before the weekend. The Government Office of the South East (GOSE) is overseeing the situation across the region.
Should the severe weather continue, the Council is advising all drivers to take extreme care because roads are likely to be affected by ice or snow, and to carefully monitor weather forecasts and local news coverage. Similarly, pedestrians should note that pavements may not be gritted and take extra care.
West Berkshire Council is issuing this information to all local media outlets and will publish updates on its website.
Details of the gritting networks are available in the 
Safer Driving leaflet (click on the link)
Regular updates on the situation will be issued to all local media outlets as soon as it becomes available.
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