‘It is not physically possible to salt all routes’ - council

Cavan County Council is being urged to include “certain rural roads” for salting within the local authority’s winter service plan, although local reps have been warned that it’s not “physically” possible.

Cllr Stiofán Conaty (SF) made the call at the Bailieborough-Cootehill MD meeting last week even though he acknowledged he is “well aware” of the funding “issue”.

He made a case for two roads in particular - the Redhills L1503 to Treehoo Cross and on to Lisboduff and Bunnoe; and the Ballyhaise to Castletara cross route (L2010). Those, he said, “absolutely need to be salted” adding that they are “nothing short of a death trap” during icy conditions.

Cllr Conaty pointed out that Redhills is in the “unfortunate position” of being the only urban area in the MD, which is not serviced by a “designated regional road” and said it shouldn’t be “forgotten” when urban regional roads are given “priority”.

He thanked the MD for adding the Redhills-Ballyhaise L1517 route to the treatment plan, however he described the Redhills-Bunnoe route as “just as busy” with a school bus travelling there twice daily.

In respect of the route from Ballyhaise to Castletara cross, Cllr Conaty said it effectively “serves as a main road” and a “link” between the two parishes.

He also pointed out that it is the “main road taken” by “hundreds of students” who travel to Ballyhaise Agricultural College daily.

“These two roads are effectively serving as main roads, and I think they should be salted going forward,” he told those gathered.

Icy conditions were an issue across the MD, as other councillors in the room also highlighted slippery spots. In Kingscourt, a hill on the Carrickleck road in Enniskeen is a “total and utter disaster”, says Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF).

“People can’t get up in heavy frost,” he said, adding that many nurses lives on the road.

Cllr Adrian Rogers (Aon) said the junction at Laragh House to Shercock is “not gritted”. He told the room how he had calls from lorry drivers over the Christmas period, who highlighted the “lethal” conditions. Meanwhile he also campaigned for gritting the Bailieborough to Moynalty route.

Cllr Val Smith (FG) said it’s “frustrating for people when they see some routes done” and not others.

However, Area Manager Clinton Mulligan responded: “We’re at the limit of what can be done.”

Not just about funding

Mr Mulligan said it is “not just” a funding issue, but also “resources in terms of time”.

“It’s not just a case of putting more money at it,” he said.

Director of Services Paddy Connaughton said the winter plan is available on the council website, where people can see the routes that are treated.

He explained there is a “four-to-six-hour time frame for salting” and said there is a “certain element of discretion for local roads based on traffic data”. Six hundred and forty-five kilometres of road is salted per night.

Mr Connaughton said, to add one route, means to take away from the road maintenance plan for the year, and gave those gathered the option to “renew” the winter plan, however said it “would be against the advice of technical roads staff”.

He also added that he was “sympathetic” to their concerns.

Meanwhile, Cllr Niall Smith (FF) also asked if all Local Link and Bus Éireann routes are being gritted.

Mr Mulligan said those that are on “priority” routes are salted, and added that it is “not physically possible to salt all routes”.