Letter: Salt substitute

With reference to the best method of de-icing Scotland's highways (your report, 24 January), I feel that, given the current financial straits, a golden opportunity has been missed for the onus to be put on vehicle drivers to use winter tyres and take responsibility for their own road safety.

The toxic effect of salting our roads is plain to see, with hedgerows dying from over-salination, not to mention the corrosive damage done to cars.

Furthermore, salted roads retain a greasy and thereby dangerous film, unlike unsalted roads, which are quick to dry even in the short daylight hours of mid-winter.

Mandatory use of winter tyres, ideally made from recycled rubber, would benefit the economy, save taxpayers' money and show that Scotland is serious about protecting the environment.

John M Nisbet

Auchencrow Mains

Auchencrow, Borders