A major review of Shropshire’s road gritting service is to be carried out to identify any improvements that can be made next winter.

Shropshire Council managed to stay ahead of the national salt shortage during the big freeze and, even though its stores were running low, it managed during the worst of the bad weather and snow to fulfil its commitment to grit all A and B roads and other high priority routes.

It had increased its salt supplies by 20 per cent over last summer, and at the start of winter its stores were at capacity.

According to the council it had least double the Government’s recommendations of salt.

It has recently received an additional 500 tonnes of salt from alternative suppliers and is expecting a further 500 tonnes this week.

This is in addition to the 400 tonnes of salt received from its usual suppliers.

The winter maintenance review will look at further increasing salt levels and the 850 grit bins located around the county for local residents to use on their roads.

The review will also examine the Severe Weather Fund which enables the council to carry forward any savings from milder winters to spend during colder periods

However the last time a winter was mild enough to make savings was 2002/03 when £200,000 was put aside.

Director of resources, Laura Rowley, is currently looking into the possibility of the council making a one-off payment of up to £1 million into the reserve.

The review will involve the council’s social services teams to look at what needs to be done to ensure carers are still able to reach clients in severe weather conditions

David Roberts, council cabinet member for local environment and economy, said today: “I would like to thank officers and our gritting teams for their hard work during the recent severe weather.”

The council is celebrating the success of a trial which has used farmers and contractors to grit minor roads.

Six contractors have been equipped with specially made gritting machines for tractors. For next winter it is hoped that there will be 20 contractors working in the hilly areas of the county.

By Dave Morris