Important information regarding changes to gritting in Leeds

As a result of national grit shortages and the ongoing cold weather, only Leeds’ main roads will be gritted from tonight (Thursday).

Because of the ongoing cold weather – which is now in its third week – a decision has been taken to preserve grit stocks to ensure it does not run out before further deliveries are made.

Leeds City Council currently has enough salt to grit the city’s 800 mile long primary road network at least twice a day - including just before each morning rush hour – for at least the next 10 days.

As of tonight (Thursday) the council will be unable to respond to requests for the salting of footways and will not be gritting secondary routes or refilling grit bins across the city.

Leeds City Council started off the winter with 21,000 tonnes of salt in stock - having used only 20,000 tonnes throughout all of last winter. At 7am this morning (Thursday 7 January) only 4,300 tonnes remained.

Since the cold weather started, the city has used an average of 620 tonnes a day – and at least half of this has gone on secondary routes, gritting footways, refilling grit bins and lending grit to neighbouring authorities whose stocks had already reached critical levels.

Councillor Andrew Carter, leader of Leeds City Council, said:“The forecast is for conditions to remain cold for at least another two weeks and we have to ensure we can keep the main roads salted for the whole of this period.

“Given the shortage of salt across the country, it is now essential we conserve salt supplies where possible – which regrettably means we cannot continue with the current level of service.

“We are in a far better position than most other authorities in the region and a delivery of salt is due next week. However, the government has now taken control of salt distribution and the planned delivery may not materialise so we have no choice but to take this decision.”

Local people are advised to check www.leeds.gov.uk, www.leedstravel.info and to regularly check the local media about road and weather conditions and to take extra care when traveling across the local area.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Jon Crampton, Leeds City Council press office, 0113 3951577
Email: jon.crampton@leeds.gov.uk