Redistribution of salt boxes suggested

Icy conditions descended on the North West this winter causing misery particularly in rural areas where roads were often impassable.

There was anger and frustration amongst the rural community at Roads Service's concentration on gritting the busier traffic routes to the detriment of isolated parts as freezing conditions descended on Londonderry. And another common complaint was the lack of salt piles in rural areas.

Now Roads Minister Conor Murphy says if trouble sports can be identified salt boxes can be strategically placed during the spring and summer.

Asked by East Londonderry DUP MLA George Robinson if more salt boxes would be provided, particularly in very remote rural areas, the Minister replied that 3,500 salt boxes throughout Northern Ireland could be redistributed according to need.

Speaking at the Stormont Assembly Mr Murphy commented: “During the prolonged spell of wintry weather, I had a discussion with Roads Service, and its experience is that periods of extreme weather provide an opportunity to test systems to see how they are working.

“Salt piles and grit are provided on request. Generally, those requests are made by people who live in difficult stretches of road. Indeed, elected representatives make such requests.”

The Minister explained there were criteria for where the 3,500 salt boxes are located to ensure that they are adequately spread out and that they are not too close together.

“It is a matter of having a discussion with the depot manager or the Roads Service manager in one’s area to identify the areas where salt boxes are required,” he said.

“It is during the summer that such measures will be taken. It is difficult for Roads Service vehicles to get out in icy weather in order to provide new salt piles.

“If people could identify the trouble spots from their winter experience and discuss them with local managers, we could see whether those needs could be met during the summer so that salt and grit could be in place for the following winter,” the Minister suggested.