Top News | UK faces shortage of gritters and road salt in winter crisis which could spark chaos on highways
BRITS could be struck by mid-winter travel chaos amid a shortage of HGV drivers to spread salt on the roads. Snow has already arrived in the Highlands, with forecasters warning of more to come further south next week.
AlamyHighways chiefs have warned of a shortage of HGV drivers to spread salt \- as an Arctic blast hits the UK '/ ' 
AlamyDoubling the problem is a shortage of salt, with Scotland stashing 30,000 fewer tonnes than in 2020 '/ ' But highways chiefs are scrambling to recruit more drivers to keep motorists safe as officials warn major gritting routes could be axed. Meanwhile, in a worrying double whammy, there's less grit in stock than in previous winters. Transport bosses in Scotland \- where snow usually falls earliest and thickest \- say there's 30,000 fewer tonnes of salt in stock than last year. The Local Government Association has warned there could be trouble ahead for commuters as the cold begins to bite this weekend. Councillor David Renard said: ...Some councils may find gritting services are affected in the same way some waste collection services have been impacted.... Dozens of driver vacancies are being advertised around the UK. 
Read our weather forecast live blog for the latest updates Authorities in Hampshire told the Star they're ...training new drivers to ensure we can maintain our winter service when demand peaks.... In Wrexham, councillors are ...monitoring the situation very closely.... News of problems comes as temperatures plummet to zero around the country in a new Arctic blast. A ten-day chill is set to sweep across the country, with snow already falling on high ground in northern Scotland. Loch Rannoch in Perth and Kinross could be hit with a chilly snap which will see the mercury head below zero. And elsewhere, balmy temperatures will nose-dive from an unusually warm 17C to just 4C. BRITS SET TO SHIVER People across the country are urged to dig out their winter coats during a cold snap caused by a 900-mile wide Arctic plunge. Air from frozen Iceland is set to swoop over to the UK. Some forecasters expect snow in the north from Monday, while Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook said those further south may see snow falling between November 28 and 30. Brutally cold lows of -7C are expected later next week. Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "I couldn't imagine a better weather pattern for cold weather fans, with forecast models showing a northerly straight from the Arctic next week. "It turns much colder from the north later in the weekend. From Sunday, rain is likely in the north, with some snow across higher ground, possibly reaching low levels at times. Most read in News MURDER PROBE Man and woman found dead inside home sparking murder investigation FREE AT LAST Bodycam shows squalor inside Turpin home & bruises of kids chained to beds FOOTIE HORROR Football fan fighting for life with head injury after QPR vs Luton 'disorder' BAD VIBRATIONS Our village is tormented by mystery humming noise - and its getting LOUDER WINTER OF DISCONTENT Europe Covid epicentre faces lockdown in DAYS - how does UK compare? BITTER END Temperatures to plunge to as low as freezing as Brits brace for snow in days "Further south looks to have fewer showers, but with a slight chance of wintry weather, and chilly nights with frost in places." And officials at MetDesk warned: "Look away now if you don't like the cold. ...A big change is shown for next week, with Arctic winds, plummeting temperatures and snow for some." 
Wesley Kristopher/Triangle NewsIt comes as the mercury plunges in the coming days '/ ' 
AlamyForecasters have warned Brits to wrap up warm in the days to come '/ ' 
AlamyThe temperature will take a steep tumble from a balmy 17C to just 4C in some places '/ ' 
Met OfficeCold air straight from Iceland will blast in this weekend '/ ' Source:
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