Merseytravel prepares for winter with new salt barn

Merseytravel has built a salt barn capable of holding 200 tons of rock salt at the Birkenhead entrance to the Queensway Tunnel.

The organisation, Merseyside's passenger transport executive, owns and operates the Mersey Tunnels.

Sefton councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said: "We're taking even more precautions following last winter's harsh conditions which caused severe disruption on Merseyside. We'll be doing everything possible to keep Merseyside moving this winter."

Last winter Merseytravel's stocks of grit were used to supplement the districts' gritting, especially around bus stations and the two tunnels.

The aim if for the new storage facility to strengthen Merseystravel's ability to support transport operators during adverse weather conditions.

Chief executive Neil Scales said: "We've never been better prepared for a harsh winter."