Warminster trials a new type of road salt

With low temperatures and even snow forecast in some areas, wintery weather has arrived.

Last week local TV news reported that Warminster is to be the pilot for a new type of road grit.  Wilts council is trialling the use of salt coated in molasses, making it stickier, less corrosive and longer

lasting than normal salt.

They report  that they are "working with local communities and using

innovative ways to ensure problems on the county’s roads caused by

winter weather are kept to a minimum."  They have 13,000 tonnes of salt ready to

be used to keep the county’s roads and pavements passable."

In last year's severe conditions they council used

12,000 tonnes of salt on the highways. In previous years half this

amount has been required.

The council is also offering parish councils across Wiltshire a

one-tonne bag of salt if they are able to store it in a suitable,

covered location. This would allow local councils to help top up grit bins during the

winter when Wiltshire Council staff are focussing on clearing and

gritting the busiest, highest priority roads.

The council state that salt in grit bins should

be used for minor roads and pavements, which are not

routinely treated during bad weather and not be used for

private driveways or roads.

Cabinet member with responsibility for highways, cllr Dick Tonge, said:

“We are ready for the problems winter may cause and we want to work

with local communities to ensure our roads and pavements are as safe as

possible.”