As the country prepares for colder weather, the price hike of crucial maintenance materials is putting pressure on councils this winter.

Increase in cost of maintenance materials such as gritting salt is putting Councils under pressure, the LGA, a representative of 350 councils in England, warned.

The price of gritting salt has seen a 60 per cent increase, while the price of bitumen used to repair potholes grew also by 60 per cent since the war in Ukraine shut Russia, the main bitumen producer, out of the European markets. 

READ MORE: Survey shows cost of living reality in Amersham and Chesham

Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Steven Broadbent said: “Unfortunately, we have seen an increase of 18 per cent in salt pricing this year in comparison to last year.

“With the rising fuel prices, there has also been a 2.9 per cent surcharge on fuel.

“However, even with these increases, we are confident that we can deliver a full service during the winter season with the current salt stock levels, as we managed to stock all barns to prepare in time.

“We will monitor our stock amounts through the winter and move the salt around to suit requirements across the county if needed.”

Price hike for electricity, steel, lighting and cement is also having a knock-on effect on budgets, LGA’s analysis found.

Local councils face a backlog of 10 years and costs of £12 billion to get all roads up to scratch, the LGA warned.  

The transport spokesperson for the LGA councillor David Renard said: “As this stark new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep our street lights switched on and invest in improved local infrastructure.

“Global pressures, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing inflation and a shortage of materials have all provided the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets." 

READ MORE: Bourne End Chilterns Manor care home gets new QCQ rating