Call for salting routes to be extended

Calls for a small extension on salting routes in Cavan have been made at a recent meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District.

Tabling the motion, Independent Councillor Shane P O’Reilly stated his concern for two areas of road in the Ballyjamesduff area.

The first was at Carrigabruise National School where the road was recently upgraded to such a high standard that Cllr O’Reilly believes it is “like a bottle” during the icy weather.

The second location is at Corradooa Cross.

Cllr O’Reilly explained that, while the main Virginia to Bailieborough Road at this junction is salted, the road leading from Lisnahederna is not.

He described how this road enters the junction on a downward slope, so those attempting to stop “put on their brakes and end out in the middle of the road”.

Cllr O’Reilly requested a salt vehicle to reverse a short distance up each road.

In response, Senior Executive Engineer John McGahern explained there is 3,000km of road in the Municipal District area and 600 to 700km of that area is salted by the council in colder weather conditions.

He explains it is “hard to predict” when frost is going to form on the roads, having to take into consideration the temperature, cloud coverage and more.

Mr McGahern further explained it may not be possible for the salt vehicle to reverse up the Lisnahederna road due to the hill and the height of the salting machine.

The councillor suggested the vehicle could drive up and turn at a local resident’s home.