Berkshire receives salt supplies

Heavy snow has fallen in Tilehurst, Reading

Last-minute salt supplies arrived in west Berkshire as dozens of roads across the county became impassable after at least 15cm (6in) of snow fell.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning with falls of up to 30cm (12in) forecast for west Berkshire overnight.

Hampshire County Council helped top up West Berkshire Council's salt stocks from 125 tonnes to 300 after it emerged that supplies were running low.

It is understood parts of Tilehurst in Reading are now impassable.

Helping hand

A West Berkshire Council spokesman said of the salt delivery: "We got good news just in the nick of time.

"Hampshire Council kindly let us have some of their grit, and we got more from our suppliers, so we currently have 300 tonnes, some of which is now out with the gritters.

"It should be enough to last two or three days."

Thames Valley Police warned people not to travel unless it was absolutely essential.

The force warned motorists that if they did decide to travel and their vehicles became stuck, blocking emergency vehicle access, they could be charged for being towed away.

Met Office chief forecaster Tony Waters said: "The heaviest snowfall this evening and tonight is expected across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire where fresh snowfall of 15 to 20cm is expected widely, and locally in excess of 30cm."

Monitoring roads

Reading Borough Council said a new delivery of grit had been received at the weekend.

All primary and secondary routes across the town would be gritted in advance of the expected snowfall, a spokesperson said.

Highways teams in Slough said they were monitoring conditions so roads were gritted at the "optimum time".

Bracknell Forest Council said its primary and secondary routes had been treated overnight on Monday and its fleet would be back on the road later on Tuesday.

"We have got a comfortable amount of salt - 470 tonnes - and more is on order," a spokeswoman said.

Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council urged residents not to wash their cars on public roads as run-off water would turn to ice, putting other road users in danger.

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