Gritting of area's roads is raised with minister after cold spell

Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has said she has raised numerous gritting issues with Transport NI resulting from the cold weather spell.

Mrs Dobson has also queried the Infrastructure Minister at Stormont around the processes used to add roads which are currently left un-gritted to Transport NI’s winter gritting schedule.

She said: “Following further contact from constituents I have been questioning the Infrastructure Minister on the process used to respond to requests raised with Transport NI. There are many roads within the local area which have seen housing development and with changing usage patterns these roads warrant addition to the gritting schedule.

“I have met on numerous occasions with Transport NI officials around the winter service, repeatedly raising concerns regarding the siting and refilling of gritting boxes and the gritting schedule.

Indeed, I have recently written to the Minister around the possibility of making online requests for grit boxes to be refilled.

“The presence of an empty grit boxes shows that people are helping to make the roads around their homes safer for themselves and their neighbours and this is to be welcomed and praised.”

In conclusion Mrs Dobson said: “The Executive must listen to the views of local people and take action to ensure that systems are in place to enable boxes to be refilled regularly because they are a lifeline to many in times of winter hazards.

“Everyone who braves the elements to help keep our roads open, whether it is Transport NI staff, farmers or volunteers deserve our respect for helping to make our roads safer for everyone.”