Written question asked by Theresa Villiers (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2010. It was answered by Lord Khan of Tooting (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2010, Official Report, column 208W, on roads: snow and ice, how many tonnes of salt have been bought from overseas suppliers in each of the last 12 years.

Answer: The Highways Agency does not purchase salt directly. This is the responsibility of its contracted service providers, as part of their routine requirement to deliver the winter service to keep the strategic network safe and open during severe winter weather. Consequently the Highways Agency does not keep records on where its service providers have purchased salt and cannot therefore confirm if any overseas salt has been purchased during the last 12 years. Notwithstanding this, as a result of the national salt shortages experienced over the last two winters, the Highways Agency has helped facilitate the importation of overseas salt to its service providers. In 2008-09 season, the Highways Agency helped to import approximately 58,000 tonnes of salt from overseas sources, with a further 127,000 tonnes imported in the 2009-10 winter season.The sourcing of salt for winter service on local roads is a matter for the local authorities concerned. Information on imports is not collected centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 507 c329-30W; 320822
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Roads: Snow and Ice
Monday, 22 February 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Roads Snow and ice
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk