Council 'doesn't have resources' to grit footpaths in Limerick during cold snap
A SENIOR council engineer has said the local authority does not have the resources to grit footpaths across Limerick.
At this Monday's metropolitan district meeting, Hugh McGrath faced questions from councillors over why pavements in the city centre were not treated with salt to smooth the way for Christmas shoppers and traders facing their busiest time of the year.
It comes with Met Eireann warning temperatures will remain low for the rest of the week, bringing a range of wintry hazards including severe frost, ice, wintry showers and freezing fog.
A status orange warning of freezing fog is in place until midnight this Monday in Limerick, plus Clare and Tipperary. And a status yellow low temperature/ice warning will remain in place for the entire country all week.
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan said walking around the city centre was "treacherous" in parts as temperatures plunged over the weekend, while Fine Gael's Dan McSweeney pointed out Kerry County Council has ensured footpaths in the towns of Tralee and Killarney were gritted.
In response, Mr McGrath said: "Typically in and around the city centre, a lot of schools and businesses would put out their own salt. The engineers if they see something exceptional where there is a significant problem will. But every footpath in the county could do with being salted, and we don't have the resources to do that."
Cllr O'Donovan said: "We are trying to encourage people to come in and enjoy Christmas in Limerick. I didn't see any of the footpaths gritted, and they really need to be prioritised."
Cllr McSweeney agreed: "This time of year is crucial for business in the city centre, and we need to remove any barriers people might see."
But Mr McGrath said: "It's almost impossible to maintain. It takes a huge amount of resources. Business and property owners are better placed to do it outside their premises."
To this end, Cllr Sarah Kiely asked if salt and grit can be provided to businesses and schools.
"We don't have the provision for this," Mr McGrath said, citing concerns around access to the council's depot and the control of supply.
Council, he admitted, are "at the end of our tether" in keeping on top of the icy conditions, with 4,000km of roadway across Limerick.
"All of the main regional routes in and out of the city are dealt with by the [winter maintenance] plan, and from time to time, depending on the situation, the district engineers can deal with other minor issues as they arise. We are doing close to 800km - so around 20% of the network," he added.
"For the last 10 days, bar one night, we've been out twice, so there are 15 trucks at times. We have two teams. Just to try and keep the existing plan maintained is in the extent of our resources," said the engineer.
In response to a query from Labour councillor Conor Sheehan, Mr McGrath said there is the potential to grit some of the bike lanes in the city.
But Cllr McSweeney retorted: "You have said you're looking identifying for salting. We might familiarise ourselves with the hierarchy of travel, that pedestrians are to be given priority. So maybe before we look at cycle lanes we should look at pedestrians and footpaths?"
The National Emergency Coordination Group met this Monday morning and has reiterated its warning that driving conditions will be hazardous with black ice, freezing temperatures and freezing fog.
Even where roads are gritted, drivers are being asked to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
Footpaths can be extremely hazardous due to ice, while communities are being asked to check in on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
They are also advising to keep your mobile phone charged and take it with you on all journeys.
In an emergency dial 999 or 112.