TRANSPORT chiefs in North Yorkshire are preparing for a hard winter.

Thousands of toms of salt have now been stockpiled in readiness for the cold weather.

The county council’s highways department has 40,000 tons in stock, with a further 10,000 tons in reserve - more than twice the national recommendation.

"Even at the worst point of last winter, when some local authorities around the country ran out of salt, we always had sufficient to keep the roads open," said the county’s executive member for highways, John Fort.

"As a result of those shortages in some parts of the country, a national review was undertaken and highways authorities were recommended to ensure they held six days’ supply of salt for use in severe conditions.

"In the case of North Yorkshire, which is England’s largest county and has thousands of miles of highways to maintain, that equates to some 18,000 tons.

"However, we have taken steps to ensure that we have 40,000 tons in our depots, with a further 10,000 tons in reserve at Boulby Mine near Whitby."

He added: "Our stocks of salt will be replenished as and when necessary through the winter, to ensure that there is always sufficient to treat the roads whenever the weather conditions deteriorate."