England faces 500,000 tonnes shortfall in road salt this winter, warns report

The Government should therefore import 250,000 tonnes of salt to be stored and managed by the Highways Agency, the report added.

This would be available to local highway authorities, at a premium price, both to reflect the costs of importing and storing it and to encourage authorities to build up their own stocks.

At the end of December, salt usage and stocks should be reassessed, the latest weather forecasts reviewed and decisions made whether further additional strategic supplies are required, in addition to what the UK producers can supply.

The interim report, covering England, came from a three-man review panel set up earlier this year by former transport secretary Lord Adonis following the worst winter weather for 30 years.

Chaired by RAC Foundation chief David Quarmby, the report also said all local authorities should review and update their winter plans, including consulting fully on the networks to be treated, and considering whether less salt can be used while maintaining effective coverage.

The Government should help by issuing a short, simple code on clearing snow and ice from pavements, to reassure and encourage them, and help guard against negligence claims.

Properly co-ordinated research is also needed to update various technical standards, so that local authorities have authoritative guidance for improving the use of salt.

Mr Quarmby said: "Last year, we just managed to keep traffic moving on the nation's roads due to the concerted effort of local authorities, national Government and the road salt suppliers. But we came perilously close to running out of salt and many people found the winter months very difficult.

"We can't know when such a severe winter will hit us again, but we can take steps as a nation to ensure that, when it does, we will cope better.

"This report highlights the short-term need for national Government and local councils to ensure that they have plans in place, and enough road salt, to deal with the possibility of another severe winter in 2010/11."

The panel said it was concerned to hear people were put off tackling snow and ice in front of their homes last winter because of apparent confusion over possible liability. Mr Quarmby said: "People and local communities want to be able to take practical steps to clear snow and ice without fear of litigation. The confusion which arose last year was unhelpful.

"We are recommending a simple code of practice, to be drawn up by Government, distributed by local authorities and promoted to householders and businesses. This would set clear advice for self-help, and – if observed – guard the public against negligence claims."