To grit or not to grit - that is the question for Ballymoney Council!

At a recent Corporate Services Committee meeting, councillors and the Chief Executive criticised the Department of Regional Development’s failure to accept responsibility for the clearing of ice and snow from pavements.

At the meeting, members gave also expressed their disapproval to the latest Road Service plan to resolve the issue by asking ‘councils to make arrangements with private sector organisations to salt footways’.

The report explained: ‘Following a meeting between representatives from DRD Roads Service and local government, DRD Roads Service have responded to the request that they establish whether a third party, (e.g. Chamber of Commerce) could act as the council’s sub-contractor or agent in respect of the Roads Serviceagreement.

‘It was agreed that NILGA should consult with councils in order to establish if the agreement proposed by DRD will enable councils to make arrangements with private sector organisations to salt footways; and whether councils view the option of private sector organisations salting footways as a positive contribution to addressing the salting of footways locally.

‘Committee is invited to consider the matter and respond to NILGA.’

A discussion ensued on the benefits and disbenefits of the terms of the proposed agreement.

It was proposed by Cllr Ian Stevenson, seconded by Cllr John Finlay that Council respond to NILGA stating that they view the option of private sector organisations salting footways as a positive move to addressing the issue of the salting of footways locally but that DRD Roads Service should contact directly with the private sector organization, with full indemnity provided by Roads Service and supervision where Councils were unable to do this.

In discussing this matter, members pointed to the precedent created through the contractual arrangement with local farmers to assist with road gritting.

However during a recent Full Council meeting MLA Mervyn Storey accused the DRD of ‘looking for a way out but not a solution’.

Responding to the report, he continued: “How does this tie in with our discussions last year when we proposed that footways be cleared by traders?”

The Chief Executive explained that things ‘were not a simple relationship’ stating: “The Chamber of Commerce had a good idea to get their businesses involved in the clearing of pathways but they do not have the power and are worried about liable etc.

“It looks here like the DRD are trying to get the council’s involved again, but the view to other council’s is that this is not a good way forward. It’s as if the DRD are looking for others to do their job.”

Agreeing Cllr Storey said: “It seems DRD is trying to get out of its legal responsibility. They are looking for a way out but not a solution.

“We should write to the Minister of the Department to ask him to spell out why he is trying to do this.

“We need to take a proactive approach so we don’t get caught out again.”

The Chief Executive also explained that DRD had made contractual arrangements with farmers to clear minor roads. Concluding Cllr Storey asked ‘why this could not be extended to designated areas in the town?’

Commenting on some of the issues raised a Road Service spokesperson explained that they ‘have no statutory obligations to salt footways’.

The spokesperson added that the most recent review of the Roads Service’s Winter Service policy, agreed in the Assembly, decided that salting footpaths was too expensive.

It was agree by Cllr Ian Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Bill Kennedy to write to the Minister.