§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish details of the cost of salting and gritting roads in the United Kingdom per annum; and if he will make a staetment.
§ Mr. HoramAbout £4 million—November 75 prices—is spent on salting motorways and trunk roads in the United Kingdom per annum. On local authority roads about £17 million per annum is spent on winter maintenance, which includes salting and gritting.
§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost due to damage to roads and vehicles due to salting and gritting of roads per annum; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HoramSalting causes no significant damage to roads. Gritting does add marginally to the cost of subsequent road cleansing, but no precise figures are available. In 1972 the total cost of vehicle corrosion was estimated by the Department at about £260 million, of which about half was probably attributable to salt.
§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of the need for ice-free roads, if he will co-ordinate local authorities' schemes in regard to amounts of salt and grit used; and if he will issue guidance on the best practice to be followed in costs and materials.
§ Mr. HoramNo.
The Department of Transport advises all highway authorities about the type, storage and use of materials used for the winter maintenance of roads, and about the kind of plant available.