Doesn't the sand cause FOD or is it very fine?
The sand that is used is a very specific diameter that that doesn't harm engines.
I'm working at Arlanda(stockholm) and we very rarely use sand on the runways and when we do it's usually spread before the sweepers to get a better effect from the acutual sweeping.
We do however use it on taxiways and aprons.
I've heard the argument that UK snow whould be diffrent but I can assure you it's not. We in scadinavia have seen pretty much all types of snow and ice. It's all manageble, arlanda still haven't closed due snow.