The Local Government Association (LGA) has accused the AA of “scaremongering” by claiming that many local authorities do not have sufficient stocks of salt to treat roads this winter.
The AA claims that half of UK local authorities have salt stocks that would last just six days of continuous freezing weather.
With the UK enduring its first cold snap, the AA claims that the UK’s ability to deal with a major snowfall is again open to question.
The organisation says that local authorities’ reliance on "just in time" deliveries left too many of them vulnerable to a lengthy big freeze or major snowfall.
Edmund King, AA president, said: "Around 1,000 people are killed or seriously injured on snowy and icy roads each winter and hospital casualty departments are often inundated with people who have slipped and fallen.
"We accept that not every road can be treated, but we must do a lot more to keep the wheels of the economy turning in winter emergencies and ‘routine’ winter weather. That means getting enough salt stocks in place now."
However, the LGA said the suggestion councils were not ready was "ridiculous scaremongering".
Speaking on the BBC Radio Four Today programme, LGA spokesperson David Sparkes, said: "It is ridiculous scaremongering for the AA to suggest that councils are not prepared for prolonged winter weather.
"If the AA thinks the only way councils can ensure they have enough salt is by stockpiling it, it is showing startling ignorance.
"Councils realise how important it is to keep roads clear. It’s up to councils, not the AA, to decide whether it is a good use of their council taxpayers’ money to stockpile more salt or have other plans in place to make sure they can get enough grit to keep Britain moving."
Click here to read the full BBC News report.
Click here to read the full AA news release.
Whether the AA’s opinion or the LGA’s is more appropriate is an area that could be hotly debated. Resources need to be available at the location they are needed when they are needed, whatever planning methodology is used. If those resources are not there, the planning and distribution strategy needs to be reviewed.
Mark – Wiltshire
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