More grit on the way from Germany
MORE salt for use on the roads of West Sussex is due to arrive next week from Germany.
The County Council, along with most other local authorities across the UK, are turning to alternative sources after problems with their usual supplier. This is due to the adverse weather all over the country.
Instead, a boat from Germany, carrying supplies, is due to dock on Wednesday.
Stuart Smith, the Highways Operations Manager for West Sussex County Council said, "We like many other authorities have had to look further afield. Our extra stock will come in from Germany.
"Until then, there is a sufficient stock of salt for all the usual routes to be treated."
The amount of salt needed each season is worked out by taking the average number of times the gritters have been out during the previous three seasons. This is around 10,000 tonnes.
Each time the county's fleet of gritters goes out it uses, on average, 250 tonnes.
But since October 2008, the team have already been out more than 60 times, compared to the 46 trips that were budgeted for.
Derek Whittington West Sussex Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "The County Council ordered additional salt early in January, but this has not materialised. Other areas are classed as a higher priority and one of the usual suppliers can't keep up with demand.
"Our gritting team has done a great job of keeping the county moving so far and I am confident they will continue to do so."
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Weather for Midhurst
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
