Gritting salt supply low as temperatures head for -10C

COUNTIES, mainly in the west, are in danger of running out of road gritting salt as temperatures are expected to plunge as low as -10C over the weekend.

The National Roads Authority said a number of councils were running out of rock salt as localauthorities say they have had to use three times more than normal supplies, in the sub-zero temperatures hitting the country over the last few weeks.

The rock salt comes from two locations, Carrickfergus in Co Antrim and Cork. While the northern location is still producing and distributing the salt, it is understood supplies at the Cork production facility have almost dried up.