Town gets emergency grit supply

Rochdale Council was one of just seven local authorities in the north of the country to receive an emergency supply of grit yesterday with fresh snow set to fall tonight.

Snow up to four inches deep is expected overnight and the Highways Agency has rushed more grit to the Council ahead of the fall.

Councils most in need were first to get their hands on fresh supplies and it is believed that Rochdale council had only a couple of days worth of grit left before the emergency supplies arrived.

Most councils are now getting their salt from Salt Union and their mine in Cheshire but the company is now struggling to cope with demand.

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for Britain's major roads, has only a few days' worth of grit left itself.

The Local Government Association said: "As far as we are aware, there are no councils who have completely run out of supplies.

"They are doing everything they can to keep drivers and pedestrians safe."