MORE roads are to be gritted by Kirklees Council – despite rationing of salt supplies.

The national shortage of grit supplies means Kirklees Council is continuing to grit a reduced network of roads and motorists are being warned to take care when driving on other roads during the cold spell.

But council officials have added more roads to the priority route list which should be gritted when there is ice or snow forecast.

A spokesman said: “Grit is being strictly rationed by the government’s Salt Cell and the council has to conserve dwindling stocks. Unfortunately, this means we are not able to take action on individual requests to treat roads or fill grit bins.

“To comply with government guidelines that all local authorities should cut their usual amount of gritting, the council is only able to grit its main road network.”

Clr Peter McBride, joint Cabinet member for Regeneration, Environment and Transport, added: “The situation in Kirklees is reflected nationally and, with the stocks we are being allowed, we are being as comprehensive as possible in our winter maintenance.

“Staff are continuing to work around the clock and if there is ice or snow on the road, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been gritted”.

ADDITIONAL routes have now been added to the list of main gritting routes:

Bolster Moor: Swallow Lane, Slades Road and Bolster Moor Road; connects Golcar to A640 and bus route for outlying area.

Meltham: Lingards and Mill Moor Road; circular route off Wessenden and bus route.

Meltham and Honley: Knowl Lane / Meltham Road, Meltham Bus Station.

Netherthong – New Road / Thong Lane – access to Netherthong / bus route.

Thurstonland: Thurstonland Bank Road, Marsh Hall Lane, Greenside Road, Farnley Road, Hey Lane and Ashes Lane; bus route (hilly).

Honley: Station Road and Northgate;School, Station, bus route.

Scholes / Hepworth: Chapelgate, Dean Bridge Lane, Butt Lane - back to Sheffield Road.

Denby: Fall Edge Lane, Denby Lane and Lower Denby Lane; three bus routes.

Clayton West: Barnsley Road, Chapel Hill, Church Lane, Long Lane and Scott Hill; bus routes, Cumberworth Road, Fire Station.

Shelley: Far Bank. Highburton: Turnshaw Road, Moor Lane, Paddock Road, Town Gate and Far Dene; bus routes (hilly).

Lepton: Station Road and Highgate Lane; bus route.

Almondbury: Fernside Avenue and Mitchell Avenue;Bus route, school.

Hopton and Mirfield: Hollin Hall Lane, Hopton Lane, Hopton New Road and Station Road.

Ravensthorpe and Thornhill Lees: Calder Road, Ravensthorpe Road and Lees Hall Road.

Mirfield: Knowl Road, Wateroyd Lane, Hall Bank Road, Stocks Bank Road and Kitson Hill Road.

Mirfield / Ravensthorpe: Flash Lane, Shillbank Lane and North Road.

Birkby: Birkby Road, Birkby Hall Road and Spaines Road.

Bradley: Keldregate. Cowcliffe: Cowcliffe Hill Road. Salendine Nook: Moor Hill Road and Cowrakes Road. Lowerhouses: Longley Lane, Hall Cross Road and Dog Kennel Bank. Rawthorpe: Long Lane, Ridgeway, Rawthorpe Lane, Bradley Mills Road / Stadium Way. Sheepridge: Ashbrow Road, Bradley Boulevard and Long Hill Road.