Salt mine planning restrictions relaxed to de-ice roads

Cheshire West & Chester Council has waived planning conditions affecting lorry movements from the Winsford mine operated by Salt Union to help the national emergency on the roads.

The original planning condition limited lorry movements to between the hours of 6am to 10pm each day because the vehicle fleets have to pass homes.

Council Leader Cllr Mike Jones said the authority was prepared to relax the conditions to help get much needed salt supplies to desperate authorities. Cllr Jones said: "There are no planning restrictions on mining hours and in fact I understand at this moment mining is taking place around the clock.

"The original planning condition limits lorry movements because lorries pass residential properties. However, in the current emergency we have advised the company that we would certainly look favourably on any request they make to temporarily lengthen the hours for lorry movements.

"I am sure local residents will understand the reason for this decision in such difficult times."

Salt Union said the Winsford mine, the country's largest rock salt mine, is currently operating at capacity and the firm is prioritising deliveries as it is unable to keep up with demand. The mine can produce 30,000 tonnes a week from its 140 miles of underground roads.