West Sussex pledge to clear ice

"We are doing everything we can to help out during the icy conditions," said Derek Whittington, county council cabinet member for strategic planning and transport.

"Some people have been worried that we are running out of salt. Let me assure everyone that we are well stocked to cope with the situation."

The county council is legally responsible for the majority of pavements, and decides whether to salt within the resources it has available.

Salt bins

"We do undertake hand salting of pavements where we can, but this only happens when we are absolutely certain the roads are clear," Mr Whittington added.

"In times of persistent snowfall or extreme temperatures, this does mean that pavements may not be treated.

"For this reason, we fill salt bins at known trouble-spots where difficulties may arise because of ice or snow, and where stocks have become depleted, we will refill these as soon as possible.

"We are fully committed to keeping the roads and pavements as safe as possible for the public."

Ice forecasts

When icy conditions are predicted, more than 1,000 miles of roads are gritted across the county.

The precautionary salting network for roads was drawn up to cover:

All A and B roads in West Sussex, except the A23 and the A27 which are gritted by the Highways Agency.

Important bus routes, access roads to large industrial establishments, large educational establishments, airports, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, railway stations and bus depots.

Roads where it is considered that wintry conditions present a higher than normal risk to the highway user for a road of that type and usage.

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