Pendle councillor David Whipp has slammed Lancashire County Council for providing what he claims is “fake” salt in roadside grit bins.

But the council responded by saying Coun Whipp was “scaremongering”.

At Pendle Council’s executive meeting, Coun Whipp (Lib Dem) said the bins contained more sand than salt, which is ineffective at melting snow and ice.

Discussing winter gritting arrangements, Coun Whipp said: “Roadside grit bins are filled with fake salt. Instead of proper rock salt, it’s mixed with sand which doesn’t melt snow and ice.”

Coun Whipp questioned if salt provided to Pendle Council for use on town centre pavements would be rock salt or the “fake” material in roadside bins. He asked for supplies to be provided in Barnoldswick and other Pendle towns.

Conservative councillor James Starkie told the meeting that Lancashire County Council had delivered 50 tonnes of salt to Pendle’s depot in Nelson. The meeting heard that supplies would be distributed from the central depot.

After the meeting, Coun Whipp slammed “inadequate” arrangements for gritting.

“Roadside bins haven’t been refilled – even with fake salt; town centre pavements haven’t been treated; and outlying towns like Barnoldswick haven’t got salt supplies readily available.

“Originally, the county council was to supply Pendle with 200 tonnes of salt; but only a quarter that amount has been delivered. The arrangements are inadequate.”

Responding to Coun Whipp’s allegations, county councillor Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said the claims were untrue.

“Coun Whipp has no evidence to support what he is saying. We have 35 per cent more grit in stock this year and are better prepared than ever. The roadside grit bins belonging to the county council had all been refilled by the end of October.

“The 50 per cent mix of salt and sand used in grit bins and supplied to Pendle Borough Council to treat pavements is proven to be effective at de-icing and improving traction, to claim that this is ‘fake salt’ is silly at best and nothing other than scaremongering.

“The county council is working closely with Pendle Borough Council to treat the pavements and make them safer.”