'Guards placed on grit boxes' - McMullan

Many rural roads in places like the Glens needed the grit for use on hilly roads during the three week long freeze-up but there were reports of people from other areas targeting grit boxes to take salt out for use in their own property.

Cushendall Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan told a meeting of Moyle Council: "Locals sat up and guarded grit boxes because people came in and took the grit away."

As the sub-zero temperatures plummeted, the importance of grit intensified as the use of salt, in some cases, governed whether people could get to work or not as vehicles became stranded in yards with slopes.

Cllr McMullan appealed for people to leave grit boxes alone as they were vital to the precise areas in which they were positioned.

Meanwhile, councillors listed a number of areas where there had been problems because of the snow and ice.

Independent councillor Price McConaghy said the Causeway Road needed gritted as buses had to go into Lisnagunagh.

Sinn Fein councillor Paudie McShane said buses refused to go along the Glenshesk Road near Ballycastle which meant children could not be lifted and instead parents had to step in to bring them to school.

He said people also felt "isolated" in the Torr Road area.

Meanwhile, he said clarification is needed regarding gritting and non-gritting of footpaths and Council officer Aidan McPeake said he would investigate.

Councillor McShane said Moyle Council should set aside money so that if comes to pass that Councils can help in the matter there would be funds available.

He said grit should be distributed throughout Moyle and especially on footpaths were there is a heavy footfall like outside churches and schools.

Council Vice-Chairperson, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), said there was no grit in a box at Drumtullagh Church near the Dry Arch at Mosside.

In Bushmills Norman Parke was thanked by DUP councillor David McAllister for gritting a hill in the Heronshaw area of the town.

Meanwhile, Council Chairperson, Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane, said her car slid down a hill in the Ballinlea Road area.

DUP councillor David McAllister said the road is part of a bus route and he said he was amazed it is not gritted.

Cllr Cara McShane said grit piles were left out at the side of the road and she said traffic counts are to be taken to see if the road qualifies for salting.

Meanwhile, Independent councillor Price McConaghy said the most complaints he received concerned the 'branch line' near Ballintoy.

He said an ambulance could not get onto the Lagavar Road and said supplies for farmers had to be left at the bottom of roads for collections.