Even though the number of roads being treated has been severely cut back due to salt shortages, spending has exceeded all expectations.

The winter service budget was set this year at £777,000. Councillors were warned in August that it was "only sufficient to provide an acceptable service for a relatively mild winter."

They had to dig into reserves last year when the total cost of snow clearing reached almost £1.4million, whereas during the previous four years it had been less than £790,000.

Neighbouring Kirklees Council has already spent the £1.8 million it set aside for snow clearing this winter.

Bradford Council's environment director, Ian Bairstow, said: "It is too early to say how much we have spent but once the thaw has set in and the winter season is behind us, we will sit down and assess the cost."

Calderdale Council began the winter with 13,200 tons of salt and grit in stores at Halifax, Elland and Mytholmroyd.

By the end of last week it was down to less than 800 tons and the service has been reduced so that only 50 tons is be spread on main roads when it snows or freezes rather than the usual 125.

The council ordered 9,000 tons of salt on December 21 when stocks got down to 7,300 tons but has so far received only a fraction of that amount.

The council's highways manager, Dave Tee, said deliveries in recent days had helped but it might be some time before any more arrives.

"There are many problems on roads which we are unable to treat," he said. "However we are complying with advice provided by Government Office to reduce our salt usage and as far as I am aware most other highway authorities are doing the same.

"We are continuing to supply bereavement services and household waste sites with small quantities of the sand-salt mix to ensure that these services can continue to operate.

"We are also continuing to provide a service to the fire and ambulance services and a limited service in bus stations," he said late last week.