Eighty-six staff and 40 gritters will be on standby every night from now until the middle of next April to ensure the 1,320 miles of main roads are treated in the Northern Division of Roads Service – which includes the Derry City Council area.
Following the launch of Roads Service Winter Programme by Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, Northern Divisional Roads Manager Deidre Mackle said stocks of salt for the area – which also includes Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne, Limavady and Moyle council districts – were at full capacity.
And she revealed when ice or snow was forecast. salting teams have just three and a half hours to complete the massive logistical operation that can cost around £20,000 each time it takes place.
She also revealed all councils were working with Roads Service to clear town centre footpaths of ice and snow.
This year, during prolonged snow, all salt spreading machinery will be fitted with snow ploughs.
Ms Mackle added: “Our efforts will remain the same, with the clearing of snow from motorways and the trunk roads, before moving to other main roads and the busiest urban link roads.
“In very deep snow we can deploy our snow blowers, the latest of which can shift 1,600 tonnes of snow an hour
“The operation will continue until the road network is cleared, but even with all resources deployed, this will take time.”
Arrangements are also in place to call on contractors and farmers, to help clear blocked roads. Improved communication arrangements and priority secondary salting to rural schools that are most affected by wintery weather conditions have also been put in place.
For areas off the main salted network, Roads Service will continue to provide self help salt bins and grit piles. These are available for local residents to use to help deal with snow and ice on pavements.
There is welcome news about the salting of busy town centre footways. Almost all councils are now working with Roads Service to help deliver this service.
Information on salting and the latest road conditions is available at: Traffic Watch NI.
The Roads Service winter service leaflet “Keeping Traffic on the Move During Winter” will be delivered to every household and business premises over the coming weeks.
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