“That this Council carry out a full review of its gritting and salting programme network. Public consultation should form part of the review"

“That this Council carry out a full review of its gritting and salting programme network. Public consultation should form part of the review"

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

The Winter Service Plan is Roscommon County Council’s commitment to maintain a certain level of service on specified roads throughout the County. The Management of the Roads Department carry out a review of the Winter Service Plan every year in advance of the Winter months. It is necessary to prioritise vital and strategic routes in order to use available resources to the greatest benefit. The plan, which, as far as reasonably possible, allows the safe movement of vehicular traffic on the more important defined routes of the road network, whilst also minimising delays & accidents directly attributed to adverse weather conditions on the identified routes. The plan is optimised to ensure the most effective deployment of resources in line with funding and relevant legislation and as an executive function does not go for public consultation or adoption by the members.  

The Council again reminds road users that the primary responsibility for road safety remains with the driver of the vehicle. Road users cannot assume that roads are free of ice at any stage and must be themselves responsible for ensuring that they drive or use the road with proper care and attention to their own driving behaviour.

Cllr. Waldron welcomed the reply. He referred to the Ballinlough to Lowberry road that is not included but the gritting lorry passes this route. He also referred to the L1622, L1631 and L1820 that exit the N60 and need to be looked at as cars can slide coming to the main road and requested that a road safety audit be carried out.

Cllr. Crosby added that the Rooskey to Tarmonbarry and other such roads be added to the programme.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice supported Cllr. Waldron and stated there are a number of roads in Granlahan, Cloonfad and Fairymount that are never gritted and as more people have to come to towns because rural services are depleted. As there is availability of salt, more routes should be included.

Cllr. Keogh accepted the Directors response but added that there should be some discretion with the Area Engineers with regard to gritting when there is a particular need.

Cllr. Ward stated that footpaths in all villages should be gritted and the L2018 also needs to be included.

Cllr. Mulligan stated the old N5 is no longer included in the schedule while the new N5 is.

Cllr. McDermott referred to the exit to the N60 at Oran and Gallowstown that need to be looked at.

In reply the Director stated there is an obligation on the Council to grit the National Primary and Secondary roads and have to be done at set rates. Roads cannot be done on an ad-hoc basis as the public would not know when some roads were gritted. Our funding does not allow for more roads to be gritted and we will inherit 33km of road to grit when the new N5 road is completed. Every house in the county is within 5-6km of a gritted road.

Cllr. Ward asked that the problem areas highlighted at the meeting today will be considered for gritting in addition to some dangerous hills.

Cllr. Waldron proposed to write to the TII to do a road safety audit on L1622, L1631 and L1802. The Director replied that this was not a matter for TII but the Area office and at the request of Cllr. Waldron, he agreed to refer to the Area Engineer.

Cllr Kilduff proposed that an audit be carried out of “Black spots” and to ascertain the cost of gritting these areas annually. This was seconded by Cllr. Keogh.