Gritting crews have been out and about in Central Beds, but can salt only A and B roads.

There is still a national salt shortage, and Central Beds Council says that its own stocks are low.

Over the weekend, there were three gritting runs with the final trip completed at night on Sunday, January 31.

The council said on Monday, February 1, that it had 300 tonnes of salt and had just received a delivery of 90 tonnes.

Each gritting run on A and B roads in Central Beds uses 60 tonnes of salt.

The council said that the government was still restricting the supply of salt across the country, and local authorities were 'powerless' to control what they received and the timing of its arrival.

Met Office experts send three specially prepared weather forecasts for Bedfordshire to the council daily.

Duty engineers study the forecasts, and then decide on any action to be taken.

Two Met Office-trained winter maintenance engineers are always on duty to make those decisions.

During the night, the Met Office alerts the team to any significant changes to the forecasts.

The council points out that the salt has to be crushed by traffic and dissolve to do its job.

So even if there is no snow on the road, drivers are urged to be cautious in winter weather and if there have been freezing conditions overnight.

Check out www.highways.gov.uk for travel information on major routes and motorways.

For forecasts, visit www.metoffice.gov.uk. Call the council helpdesk on 0300 300 8049.