Welshpool ‘ready’ for weekend freeze

The Welshpool area is bracing itself for its earliest winter freeze in a generation, and residents can be assured that the authorities are on high alert and ready.

Welshpool is enduring snowfall and shivering under a cold front sweeping in from the east , sparking fears that the early onset of winter could stretch the resources of the local authorities.

But Powys County Council last night confirmed that its salt levels are at their peak in readiness and have been increased by 20 per cent following a review of last winter’s operations.

“We currently have 17,000 tonnes of salt in stock,” said a council spokesperson. “One treatment would use 200 tonnes although the usual regime is for two treatments a day morning and evening. As soon as we use 50 tonnes an automatic order is issued to replenish stock.

“We carried out a review of last year’s operations and, as a result, increased our holding capacity by 20 per cent and introduced new policies. We introduced a detailed monitoring procedures if stock falls below 7,000 tonnes during the core winter period of November -February. And, if levels fall below 5,000 tonnes we will cease treatment on all but the primary network and in response to emergency calls until stock levels and/or conditions look likely to improve to conserve salt stocks.

“Powys treats 480km of trunk road on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, 980km of county roads and 1000km of secondary routes (It is this element that is not treated if stock levels fall below 5,000 tonnes).”