Salt storage capacity set to increase

CLARE County Council’s capacity to store salt is set to double in the coming months, in preparation for the possibility of another severe cold snap.
At this week’s meeting of the local authority, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald sought information on preparations for cold weather.
In response, Nora Kaye, director of services with the Planning, Land Use and Transportation section, stated the council had gone well beyond the spend allocated for winter maintenance last year.
“Since December 1, 2009, the cost of winter maintenance has accumulated to approximately €640,000, just over twice the total sum allocated. It is envisaged at present that a top-up allocation will be confirmed in the coming weeks.”
She said plans have been made to store more salt.
“The council has capacity for approximately 700 tonnes of salt – approximately 600 tonnes has been in storage at the central base in Beechpark since last winter.
“It is expected that the construction of a new salt barn will be completed before Christmas. This will double capacity to approximately 1,400 tonnes – approximately 20 days supply.”
Councillor Joe Cooney requested the county council include the gritting and salting of all regional roads throughout the country in the review of the winter maintenance programme for 2010-11.
Councillor Cooney said people had been “prisoners in their own homes” at the time of the severe weather last winter.
“I am asking that we not put people’s lives in danger again and ensure that all roads are looked after,” he said.
Treating some roads and not others can lead to “a false sense of security”, Councillor Joe Arkins claimed.
“There is nothing as dangerous as when you drive 10 or 20 miles and then come to a part that’s not salted,” he said.
However, Councillor Pat Hayes said there had been no such confusion in his part of the county, as no roads had been treated in parts of North-East Clare.
In a written response to Councillor Cooney’s motion, Ms Kaye stated amendments to the current Winter Maintenance Programme would be considered and a number of factors would be taken into consideration, including the availability of resources.
In a separate motion, Councillor Johnny Flynn asked that the local authority provide salt/grit dumps to communities in areas vulnerable to road or footpath access problems. Ms Kaye said this would also be considered as part of the amended winter maintenance strategy.
She said there is a question as to whether a specific legislative provision needs to be enacted before local authorities could implement what is sought.