BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has secured its supply of salt for gritting winter road for the next four years.

It has award a contract to Cheshire-based Compass Minerals UK Ltd for the period from July 2022 to July 2026.

A report on the deal by environment director Martin Eden says: "The council’s existing four-year contract for road salt is due to expire on July 20 and following a further competition exercise Compass Minerals UK Ltd are the successful supplier for the new agreement.

"The council has procured its road salt via the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation’s (YPO) framework of suppliers.

"The new contract includes a fuel surcharge with a starting fuel base rate of £1.116 per litre; this is taken from January 1.

"Therefore there will be some fluctuation in the price the council pays dependent on fuel prices.

"This surcharge will be based on the Road Haulage Association’s average weekly fuel price.

"There are limited suppliers of brown salt however the risk of supply is mitigated by using the YPO agreement because they are one of the biggest purchasers of brown rock salt in the country and should there be a supply issue their clients would be prioritised by the contract supplier.

"It is difficult to estimate the annual cost because it is dependent on the winter weather.

"The estimated annual cost under the new contract is £206,000.

"This is an increase of approximately £22,000 per annum compared with the current price.

"The council did benchmark the price with another framework agreement and it confirmed the new tendered price is competitive."