Salt to spread on the icy roads is fast running out in the Netherlands. If the cold spell continues as predicted this weekend, the country could run out.

Meanwhile, Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven has given Friesian salt production company Frisia permission to take 100,000 tons extra salt from rock salt from the ground. Up to now 100,000 tons of salt has been spread on icy roads. Normally 70,000 tones is enough for the whole winter. Increased salt production will lead to 5mm subsidence. The minister calls the situation exceptional and says the subsidence remains within the norm.

Councils are desperately searching for alternatives, like sand, even though it is not good for asphalt road surfaces. If necessary, some roads will be closed.

In town of Etten-Leur in the province of North Brabant, the local council has found a novel way of solving its salt shortage problem. It has taken to speading 18 tons of bath salts on the roads. The coloured bath salts smell of lavender, green tea and mango.

Traffic in the province of North Holland was seriously disrupted by Wednesday's heavy snowfall. Roads between Alkmaar and Amsterdam quickly became treacherous, slowing traffic to a snail's pace during the Wednesday rush hour. And Thursday morning also saw long traffic jams.

The compressed snow is difficult to remove from the roads even using snow ploughs. Predictions of extreme congestion failed to materialise on Thursday, however, as many people avoided making unnecessary journeys. Public transport has been less badly effected by the latest snowfall.

Photo: Snow slows traffic down - RNW
          Road salt warehouse - RNW