WINTER WEATHER UPDATE - January 8, 2010

 Northamptonshire County Council is continuing to work around the clock to keep the county's roads open and safe. Overall the operation is going well and crews are able, when not salting highways, to continue salting footways in major pedestrian and shopping areas and refilling salt bins.

About 70per cent of the 1,729 salt bins have now been replenished although stocks are being removed very quickly. The salt bins are not locked and the council is encouraging people to use them for their local area for the good of the community. High volumes of reports are coming in that individuals are emptying bins for private use and this puts the public at risk.

People are urged to use the salt on public footways only and are requested not to take quantities for their personal use on drives and garden paths.

The gritting fleet went out at 6pm yesterday and 4am today, salting routes across the county. The council also carried out ad hoc salting where it was necessary as temperatures dropped to -7°C.

Light snow showers are expected throughout the afternoon and evening with a possible accumulation of up to 2cms. This evening the fleet will be salting routes from 6pm. The situation is being assessed on an hourly basis around the clock