Waterford City and County Council kept 700km of road open during cold snap
“We shouldn’t be in a position where people living in Priority Three areas are confined to their homes, unable to get to work, unable to get to schools; schools have to close,” said Cllr John O’Leary.
Waterford City and County Council kept 700km of road open during the recent cold snap.
That is according to the Director of Services for Roads, Water and Environment, Fergus Gleeson, at this month’s sitting of Waterford City and County Council in Dungarvan.
“During the event, we kept 700km of road in very good condition throughout the event and that allowed primary services to continue throughout the event,” said Mr Gleeson.
Mr Gleeson said primary services include healthcare, ambulances and food.
Mr Gleeson was responding to Cllr John O’Leary, who said he was concerned that people on priority three roads are confined to their homes in severe weather events.
He suggested farmers and contractors be utilised to help grit those roads and suggested barriers to this should be examined.
“We shouldn’t be in a position where people living in the Priority Three areas are confined to their homes, unable to get to work, unable to get to schools; schools have to close,” said Cllr O’Leary.
Mr Gleeson said the council have a list of agricultural contractors who assist in the gritting of roads in such events.
In the last cold snap, three contractors in the Lismore area provided assistance.
“They have a very important part to play and we are very grateful for the cooperation and coordination in regards to that,” said Mr Gleeson.
He said if Priority Three roads are not addressed it is “a resource issue.”
Several councillors at the meeting had questions about how roads are prioritised for gritting.
Cllr Catherine Burke thanked the roads staff and asked how the roads are prioritised.
The roads director said gritting priority is calculated on traffic volume, major population centres and resources available.
Cllr John Pratt said he commended the road staff for the “phenomenal work” they had done during the severe weather event.
But he suggested a meeting to discuss what more could be done during these weather events.
“I just think there is a little bit more we could do,” said Cllr Pratt.
Mr Gleeson said that during severe weather events, the Severe Weather Assessment Team meet and formulate a response.
They are linked to a coordination group that includes Met Éireann and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Department of Transport and the Health and Safety Executive.
Mr Gleeson said if councillors have suggestions or issues, those should be brought before the transport SPC.
“We would be open to suggestions on that,” said Mr Gleeson.
