A NEW road grit solution which tackles ice and snow even when temperatures plummet as low as minus ten degrees, is set to be trialled in Tamworth.

The salt is mixed with a highly potent additive which means 30 per cent less is needed to treat the county’s roads compared to using normal grit – a move which is expected to save local taxpayers around £150,000 over an average winter.

It will also be a major boost to road safety as it continues to work at such low temperatures – standard salt is only effective until minus seven degrees.

The pilot will run for the remainder of the winter from depots covering Tamworth, Lichfield, Burton, Cannock, Rugeley and South Staffordshire.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: he was committed to providing efficient and effective frontline services while providing taxpayers with excellent value for money. “This revolutionary grit solution could not only save £150,000 per year but would also improve road safety, which is absolutely priceless.

“Staffordshire’s highways are among the safest in the country, but I am 100 per cent committed to improving our record and am determined to find the most effective and efficient ways of achieving this.

“If this specialist salt proves a success, as similar trials have in other council areas, it will make the highways much safer for motorists and will keep Staffordshire on the move in severe weather conditions.

“This is particularly important in these challenging financial times as we need to continually stimulate the local economy.”

A total of 43 per cent of the county’s roads are currently gritted – the national average is 35 per cent – putting Staffordshire in the top three local authorities in the country.

Staffordshire has bought 30,000 tonnes of grit for the second year running – which equates to a 20 day supply running at full tilt.