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STOCKPILES of grit in Camden will “completely run out” tonight (Thursday) leading to worries about how the council will cope with another massive snow storm forecast for this weekend.
Conservative environment chief Councillor Chris Knight said that Camden was in the grip of a gritting “disaster” and blamed the government for rationing its supplies.
The Town Hall admitted it did not know when the next delivery would arrive.
Cllr Knight said: “Of course everyone is worried about it but are teams are doing some exceptional things to clear the pavements. We have volunteers from King’s Cross chipping away at the pavements. But clearly it is an absolute disaster that we can’t go out and grit where we want to and we will have to resort to manual labour.”
The council had been receiving weekly supplies of grit from Cheshire.
But last week, the Government seized control of stocks and is deciding who gets what.
But Labour deputy leader Councillor Jonathan Simpson said the Town Hall’s gritting policy was failing the poor.
He said: “The council has got much better but its work on the council estates has been woeful. It is right that the Government takes control and makes sure all councils have adequate supplies.”
The last granules of grit, stored in a depot in Camley Street, are being used to try and make safe major roads covered by black ice on major roads and bus routes and entrances to hospitals and schools.
Despite an order being placed with central government last week, no new grit supplies have been confirmed.
A council spokeswoman added: “The situation is that we have enough grit to treat our priority routes for the remainder of the day and tomorrow. Grit stocks are now being managed by central government, councils apply for grit and the decision about who receives it lies with the government. We have told them that we will completely run out tomorrow so let’s hope they see us as a priority.”
Salt supplies are so low that Haverstock School cannot even grit its playground and has had to keep pupils inside the school building because of health and safety reasons.
Headteacher John Dowd said: “School-keepers have been unable to clear the ice or make very little impression on it. Therefore, it is not possible to allow students into the playground until temperatures rise.”
Hampstead High Street has been closed after water gushing from a burst main in Heath Street turned to dangerous black ice.
It has led to major diversions across Hampstead which is causing disruption and blocking the entrance to the Royal Free.
TOM FOOT and DAN CARRIER