Council intervenes to help with roads

Technical Service workers began treating footpaths and roads around the town at 3am on Saturday after an emergency meeting was held on the condition of walkways and roads in the Borough. Representatives from the Department of Regional Development's Road Service attended the meeting to discuss a possible informal agreement being drawn up between themselves and the council after weeks of ice, snow and sub zero temperatures turned Limavady streets treacherous. During the special meeting UUC Councillor Leslie Cubitt blasted the lack of action on both the Roads Service and Council's part after both stated they had "no statutory authority" to treat footpaths. Tensions on the issue began to rise in the town last week after a local trader fell on untreated Market Street and seriously injured herself. Local representatives were also "inundated" with complaints about icy streets.

Speaking at the meeting Councillor Cubitt, who arranged the special talks held in the council chamber on Friday, appealed to Road Service reps to do something to treat "ice rink" footpaths and carparks which he labelled footpaths as "death traps".

He said: "We are here today to try and help the people of Limavady. I had to help a woman off the carpark today who fell and split her nose. It's time to give something back to the ratepayers of this town. These footpaths are a death trap and the car parks are skating rinks.Something needs to be done today not tomorrow."

Sinn Fein Councillor Anne Brolly echoed Councillor Cubitt's remarks calling the issue an "emergency situation". Councillor Brolly proposed that an agreement be made between the Council and DOE for treating the crucial areas of the town.

A representative of the Road Service told those that attended the meeting that the department was "more than happy" to work with the council but advised that treatment only be carried out on "where the greatest need exists"

Head of Technical Services Noel Crawford said the council would be able to provide a number of workers to help in the gritting of the town. Councillors were unaminous in their decision to go ahead with an agreement "subject to ratification" between the Roads Service and Limavady Borough council to start treating badly affected areas immediately. Councillor Cubitt praised the work of the technical services department who he says tasked nine men to start treating roads just nine hours after the decision.

Councillor Cubitt said: "They went above and beyond their call of duty and I would just like to commend all those that helped. The streets have greatly improved from the danger they posed last week."

UUP Alderman Jack Rankin and DUP Alderman George Robinson also paid tribute to the council staff for their work.

Alderman Rankin said: "I offer my sincere thanks to the Technical Services department on the excellent work they carried out on Saturday morning and the follow up work they continued with on Monday. It is greatly appreciated by all in the borough."