Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justine Greening and Helen Grant

Thursday 12th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con)]

14. What assessment she has made of whether stockpiles of salt for winter resilience have increased since 2009.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening)]

Total salt stock holdings in Great Britain at the start of December last year were just over 2.7 million tonnes, including strategic stockpiles of 539,000 tonnes. This is a significant improvement on the stock levels held in 2009 and is due to the actions that this Government have taken on winter resilience.

[Justine Greening]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and I very much welcome the preparations that Worcestershire county council and other local highway authorities have taken to be prepared for severe winter weather. I also commend Worcestershire for taking on board the guidance that was published through the UK Roads Liaison Group in December 2010, which related to the sorts of things he has talked about.

[Mrs Grant]

What other winter resilience plans does the Secretary of State have for Kent commuters?