MOTORISTS in Worcestershire have been put on red alert after it was revealed the county council is almost out of grit – with heavy snowfall forecast tonight.

With further snow expected on Thursday and icy weather set to continue through the weekend, Worcestershire County Council has warned it may not even have enough grit to get through the night due to a national shortage.

Grit deliveries are now being rationed throughout the country, with priority given to the nation's motorways.

Having seen two deliveries cancelled this week, the county now says it does not know when its next delivery will be, and is warning that if the snowfall is as bad as has been predicted key routes around the county may go un-gritted over the coming days.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the national shortage in salt grit, there is a possibility that rock salt supplies may run out. This problem is being faced by local authorities up and down the country.

"At the moment, priority stock is being given to the Highways Agency to keep the motorways moving, and so the suppliers will focus on meeting those demands.

"The Met Office has predicted heavy snowfall tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) and the forecast ahead predicts more cold and freezing weather over the next week - which means we could be faced with a situation where we don't have enough rock salt.

"If this is the case, we are calling for residents to use caution when they are out and about and pull together to help one another, especially the elderly.

“Also, residents should listen to their local radio stations for regular updates on weather conditions and road closures.”

Herefordshire Council said it should have enough grit for that county's roads to get through the next week.

But in Worcestershire, the county's 'silver control' crisis group – consisting of various local authorities plus the emergency services – has been meeting throughout the day to discuss its response to the growing crisis.

If the county's main roads go un-gritted for any length of time, residents are likely to be advised to stay at home, with bus services cancelled and schools closed.

The spokesman said: “"We will be monitoring the situation hourly and meeting with our key partners on an regular basis on what action we take.

"With regards to grit bins, we filled them up on Monday (February 2) - but we will not be re-filling them until we have enough stock again.”

The council said a national shortage of grit was to blame for the situation.

The spokesman said: “Although the county council ordered enough rock salt before Christmas and then again in January, the massive demands on the only three rock salt suppliers in the country have meant deliveries are being rationed, putting Worcestershire, alongside many other counties, in a very difficult position.

"We are issuing advice to residents that can be found on our website by visiting worcestershire.gov.uk and clicking on the winter gritting routes icon.

"This advice is for essential journeys only and should not be treated as precautions that make unnecessary journeys possible. Please stay off the roads unless your journey is essential."

Council advice: “In severe weather the best policy is to stay off the road altogether. However, if your journey is essential, a few simple precautions and easy-to-follow tips will help to keep you and your passengers safer on the roads."

Maintenance checks Before you set off on your journey, do you have: - Anti-freeze in your cooling system?

- Screen wash additive in your windscreen washers?

- At least 1.6mm depth of tread and the correct air pressures in your tyres?

- Clean lenses on your headlights?

- Properly working heaters and demisters?

Making journeys: "Planning your journey is vitally important in adverse conditions. Taking the following steps before you leave could prevent problems out on the roads:"

- Ask yourself if your journey is necessary - if the answer is no, or not sure, then don't go!

- Check the local weather forecast.

- Check the driving conditions on your route with your local radio station - Take extra equipment with you: eg. mobile phone, spade, tow-rope, torch, flask, warm and highly visible clothing and spare pieces of old carpet to place under your wheels for traction in case you get stuck in snow - Make sure someone at your destination is expecting you at a certain time.

Adjust your driving to the conditions: "Driving on ice or snow needs extra care:"

- Use dipped headlights and drive more slowly than usual - Allow up to ten times your normal stopping distance - Keep your distance from vehicles ahead of you - To avoid skidding, brake very gently or ease off the accelerator early - If you have to abandon your vehicle try not to block the road; snow-ploughs, gritters and emergency vehicles may need to come past.

- Keep windscreens clean.