Council's goodwill over road grit

West Sussex County Council said it would send grit where it was needed

A council which has twice as much road grit as some of its neighbours has said it will help them out as a goodwill gesture if supplies run out.

West Sussex council - which had to import supplies from Germany last year - said it had enough grit for 40 runs which would normally last 40 days.

In extreme weather gritters run twice daily and use salt at twice the rate.

The local authority traditionally helps nearby counties, but has sent grit as far as Cornwall, a spokeswoman said.

It's like a goodwill gesture - they give it back eventually West Sussex council spokeswoman

She said: "We did import grit last year, when supplies were running short. We shipped in a barge load.

"Traditionally, we work with Hampshire, Surrey, East Sussex, and Brighton and Hove - where we can get to realistically."

She added: "We help anywhere in the country. We did a swap with Cornwall last year. Traditionally it's with the neighbours, but we would send it anywhere.

"It's like a goodwill gesture - they give it back eventually."

East Sussex County Council said it had supplies for 40 consecutive days, and Brighton and Hove had 17 days.

Kent had 20 days, and Medway had enough road salt for 22 days.

Forecasters have predicted snow in the South East by the end of the week.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version