On 15 December 2009 County Councillor Richard Jackson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, reassured Nottinghamshire residents that it had plenty of salt. At the time, Councillor Jackson said "Bad weather is on the way and we have plenty of salt to cope with it to keep the roads clear well into the New Year".

"We do not want people to be concerned that salt will run out in six days, as predicted by the AA. Our stocks are replenished from our supplier to add too our already high levels of current stock. We are confident that this will take us well into the New Year, even if there is bad weather".

But now local residents are slipping and falling all over the place and John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, is questioning how Councillor Jackson has got it so wrong. John Mann has learnt today that Notts County Council are not refilling or replacing the salt bins and are not gritting the "non-priority" areas.

Commenting on this John Mann said, "my office has been inundated with calls from people who have fallen outside their houses more than once and others who are trapped indoors because they are frightened of falling. Why has Councillor Jackson got it so wrong? This situation was unheard of in Nottinghamshire and its down to petty cost cutting by a ten bob council. Its predicted that we are going to have a month of this weather and I am shocked that despite their reassuring words in December the Council have failed to stockpile for an event like this.

Mann added "It's the sand bag shortage issue all over again! Why cut back on a vital service that is particularly essential for our vulnerable and elderly people?"

4th January 2010