A SALT shortage in Essex means that minor roads and pavements will no longer be fully treated as the county council divert their remaining stocks to major routes. Essex County Council took the operational decision to revise its gritting programme on Frida

A SALT shortage in Essex means that minor roads and pavements will no longer be fully treated as the county council divert their remaining stocks to major routes.

Essex County Council took the operational decision to revise its gritting programme on Friday after it was revealed that the council only has sufficient salt and grit to protect the roads for a further seven days.

All 'A' roads, some 'B' roads, and other additional roads serving larger towns and villages will be treated as well as access roads to major hospitals, fire and ambulance stations.

But secondary routes, including pavements and minor roads, will only be treated as soon as the supplies of gritting salt are deemed sufficient.

Several centimetres of snow is predicted to fall over the next few days in parts of Essex putting continued pressure on the council's winter gritting service.

Councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "The prolonged weather situation facing our county means that we need to focus our attention on keeping as many of our residents moving as possible.

"I appreciate there will be concerns that a number of routes in Essex will not be treated until the situation improves but in common with much of the UK we need to prioritise our service.

"I would like to ask the public to take special care on untreated roads as we continue to do our utmost to keep Essex moving to the best of our ability".

Essex County Council's website will continue to display up to date information on the situation at www.essex.gov.uk and members of the public who require emergency assistance are advised to call Contact Essex on 0845 603 7631.