Recent cold snap prompts calls for council to supply more grit across Donegal

The recent cold weather spell has prompted calls to ensure that there is enough grit for housing estates and rural areas across Donegal.

There were three separate motions presented at the January meeting of Letterkenny-Milford MD calling for increased grit supply.

Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly asked that grit bunkers in housing estates be filled in advance of cold weather, and for grit to be accessible for those living in rural areas.

Echoing his call were councillors Declan Meehan and Donal Coyle. Cllr Meehan asked for all housing estates under the council’s control to be audited to ensure grit is available to residents, while Cllr Coyle asked for grit to be left in rural areas that are not on designated gritting routes.

Cllr Kelly expressed concern that “a lot of people were caught out” when temperatures recently plummeted below zero. He said that while council teams normally ensure grit bunkers are filled, “this time round it didn’t seem to be the case”.

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“A lot of estates were looking for grit and when they needed it, it wasn't there,” said Cllr Kelly. “We need a dedicated team out to ensure grit bunkers are filled in rural areas and housing estates. If people are able to get to grit and it's there, they will put it out.”

Cllr Kelly said he appreciated the work that the roads team are doing, but added that the grit bunkers should be filled ahead of freezing temperatures.

“Don't wait until the cold snap comes,” he said.

Cllr Meehan said that “the roads team did excellent work” but stressed that grit is “incredibly important” in estates with a steep topography, especially for older residents and those with mobility issues.

Cllr Coyle also praised the work of the lorry drivers who were deployed to grit the roads, acknowledging the “inherent danger” of working in treacherous conditions.

He highlighted the hill going down to Glenmaquin National School as a particularly dangerous area in icy conditions, and said that grit supplies arrived “too late”.

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“It is imperative that grit is provided in a timely manner in situations where you have snow and frost,” said Cllr Coyle.

In response to the motions, David McIlwaine informed councillors that teams are put in place during cold spells to fill salt bins and grit bunkers, and grit deposits are left in various locations across the municipal district. In Letterkenny alone, there are 394 salt bins.

Details of the locations of grit deposits can be obtained on the Winter Maintenance section of the Donegal County Council website.

Salt bins and grit piles can be applied for by filling out this form from the council’s website.