Council’s winter gritting capacity ‘effectively at max’ 

MAYO County Council’s capacity to grit roads is ‘effectively at max’, according to the council’s Head of Roads.

Paul Dolan told members of the council’s Roads SPC that there will be ‘very little extra gritting’ done by the council this winter due to adequate manpower and resources.

The council is currently drafting its winter road service plan, which will be available before the November meeting of Mayo County Council.

The local authority currently grits almost 1,300 kilometres of Mayo’s 6,600-kilometre road network, including all national primary routes but just 3 percent of regional local roads.

The gritting network will now also include the new 25.7-kilometre N5 dual-carriageway, which was officially opened in June.

Last year, local representatives raised concerns after the roads were left in a treacherous state before Christmas after overnight rainfall washed away the salt and grit from routes across the county.

“As it stands, there is very little extra gritting possible because our routes are effectively at max,” said Mr Dolan.

“We can ask for additional routes to be gritted, but we don’t have the lorries, we don’t have the gritters. Salt isn’t the issue.”

He added that any additional treatment routes would require additional funding and resources from the council.

The council currently grits 21 treatment routes with 12 gritters.

Replying to a suggestion from Foxford-based councillor Neil Cruise, Mr Dolan said he would be in favour of grit being available at ‘strategic places’ such as schools and churches during prolonged severe weather.