BBC: Sweet-toothed sheep block roads

Sweet-toothed sheep are hampering attempts to defrost icy roads - by eating the sugar-based grit.
Flocks of sheep have been spotted licking the roads on Halkyn mountain, Flintshire, since the council began using a sugar base to help grit stick.

Local resident Elfed Evans said the animals were refusing to move for traffic as they tucked in to the treat.

Flintshire council said sheep were also attracted to salt grits, which are more corrosive than the new sugar variety.

The new type of grit is made from sugar, starch and cereal.

Resident Elfed Evans said he had spotted dozens of sheep licking the grit off the road during the recent cold snap.

He added: "As soon as the gritter goes past they converge on the road licking off the grit.

"The sheep seem to be addicted to the sweet salt and refuse to move when cars approach."

Cost-effective

A spokesman for Flintshire council said they were aware of the situation.

He added: "The environmental advantages of using this product is that it is less corrosive to vehicles and the road infrastructure generally.

"The current operational procedures used in Flintshire have identified that the use of this product is cost-effective, particularly when used in conjunction with our storage and spreading facilities.

"We note the concerns in relation to the sheep on Halkyn Mountain and traffic, but it is known that they can also be attracted to the taste of the basic rock salt."

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