Infrastructure Minister has confirmed that the
Department's winter service team is ready to keep people moving
on our roads during the current cold snap.
Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are available to salt main
roads to keep traffic moving safely and freely. Twelve specialist
snow blowers are also available to be deployed if required.
Minister O'Dowd said: “Every year our winter service operation
remains in place from October to April to ensure 7,000 kilometres
of the road network on the salting schedule remain open. I
have allocated £3.1million funding from the October monitoring
round towards delivering a full winter service to help keep our
roads safer during snow and icy conditions. In addition, a
further £1m will be targeted towards gully emptying given the
potential impact of severe weather. With freezing temperatures
forecast for this week and some disruption on our roads possible,
staff are now being deployed as necessary.
“We currently have around 74,000 tonnes of salt in stock and in
addition over 5,750 salt bins and 72,500 grit piles are also
available for use by the public on a self-help basis on selected
routes not included on the salting schedule.”
As part of the winter service, the Department salts the main
through routes which carry more than 1,500 vehicles per day. In
exceptional circumstances, roads with difficult topography
carrying between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles daily will also be
salted. This means that 28% of the road network will be
salted, directly benefiting around 80% of road users.
As in previous years, arrangements are in place to enlist the
help of contractors and local farmers to assist in efforts to
clear blocked roads in the event of significant snow.
Minister O'Dowd said: “During wintry weather my staff
work round the clock to grit the roads and keep traffic moving
but despite our best efforts it is important to remember that we
cannot guarantee ice free roads even after salting. This
cold snap coincides with Road Safety Week and is a timely
reminder that we all need to be mindful of the changing
conditions and adjust the way we drive, ride or cycle to ensure
it is appropriate for the conditions. The best advice is in the
Highway Code, take extra care even if roads have been salted, be
prepared for road conditions changing over short distances and
take care when overtaking gritters.”
Information about road conditions is available at: Trafficwatchni
Information and advice, including about driving in adverse
weather conditions, can be found at: Driving in adverse weather
conditions leaflet | nidirect
