Salting of roads a ‘big issue’ – Smith
Cllr Val Smith said he will “keep raising” the issue of salt bins and salting of roads until the issue is solved.
“This is one of my big issues every year,” he said, stating that the L6504 Lower Lavey road from the N3 to Moynehall is only partially salted. He also requested to have the section of the road from the N3 to Crubany, which is in the Bailieborough Cootehill district, treated.
With two schools on this road, Cllr Smith described the issue as a “headache” especially for buses and people going to work.
“Neither bus, nor cars nor school children can get to it,” he stated.
“It’s impossible,” he said, adding that the road is “only two miles long”.
He also asked if the salt bins there can be filled “in time”.
Cllr Niall Smith supported the motion, describing how he receives “lots of calls” on the issue, which particularly affects “schools out in country areas”.
Support also came from Cllr Carmel Brady, who agreed salt bins are needed “especially in rural areas”.
“People do go out and shake it on the roads,” she said.
Area Manager Clinton Mulligan said Cavan County Council offers a ‘Purchase a Salt Bin Scheme’, which community groups or schools can apply for. It was agreed at the meeting that a sample of this application form would be sent to each of the councillors to distribute to the local schools.
“That’s great,” Cllr Brady praised, meanwhile Val Smith questioned: “Regarding my road?”
Director of Services Paddy Connaughton said the council will “have to look at” that matter, adding there are over one hundred schools in the county and they “will not get to all” of them.
He said the council “would have to pull from other services to hit all in one night”; meanwhile Mr Mulligan said the local authority has to be “cautious on doing roads on a once-off basis”.
Cllr Clifford Kelly stated “we all have somewhere [that needs to be salted]” mentioning the Carrickleck local road in his area, which is not salted and becomes “impossible” during periods of freezing temperatures as it is “very steep”.