Hampshire councils' winter budgets double after cold snap (From This is Hampshire)

Hampshire councils' winter budgets double after cold snap

10:12am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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FREEZING conditions and heavy snowfall from the worst cold snap in 30 years could have doubled the winter clear up budgets for Hampshire councils.

Hampshire County Council chiefs said they had spent an extra £2m on winter maintenance operations by the end of December and the figures could be nearer £3m after all the costs are totted up.

Thousands of tonnes of salt were used to grit roads during sub-zero temperatures with gritting vehicles out roundthe- clock as well as 120 farmers with snow ploughs mobilised.

Council papers said the extra money would be found from underspends in other budgets or from balances. The county council’s average winter maintenance budget is £3m.

Meanwhile, Southampton City Council’s maintenance budget of £113,000 was effectively doubled to £200,000 to pay for the extra salt, overtime and additional vehicle runs.

On top of that Tory council leaders have pledged an extra £700,000 to treat the most urgent road defects and pot holes which have appeared as a result of the weather.