Write a commentLocal Councillors have expressed their concern that the general public may have the impression that Newry and Mourne District Council is responsible for snow and ice clearance of footpaths and roads within its District.
To Clarify Newry and Mourne District Council has advised that DRD Roads Service is responsible for clearance of snow and ice from roads and footpaths and as such, Council have no statutory responsibility for this function.
Mayor of Council, John McArdle confirmed “As a Council we do not have responsibility for clearance of snow and ice on public footpaths or public highways”. We are responsible for, and do clear snow and ice from Council Offices, Town Halls, Sports Centres, Swimming Pools, Community Centres, Parks and Household Recycling Centres to allow residents to utilise our facilities”.
He further added that “Funding for provision of salt and grit and removal of snow and ice is paid through rates to DRD Roads Service and it is not paid for through Council budgets. If Council were to budget for provision of salt and grit for clearing of public roads or footpaths and to provide for vehicles and staff to do this, then rates would increase dramatically and our residents would be paying for them twice”.
It was noted that during the big freeze of 2010, Council did provide assistance under its Emergency Planning function to assist NI Water with issue of drinking water for residents of our District were water supplies had been interrupted. It also provided facilities for showering at its Leisure Centres during this time.
Councillor Michael Ruane, Chairman of the Council’s Technical and Leisure Services Committee, said that “During the winter of 2010 when DRD Roads Service and NI Water Services were overstretched, Council did authorise its staff to provide assistance and under the instruction from Roads Service, we did provide snow and ice removal from public footpaths approved by Roads Service”.
He went on to say that “It is important for our residents to realise that Council can only do this function with supplies of salt and grit provided by Roads Service and at locations that they request”.
At a recent Council Meeting, Councillors were concerned that only the main shopping streets in Newry were covered under this arrangement and that Councillors throughout the District had asked that all areas are examined for provision of snow and ice clearance of footpaths and roads.
Roads Service has confirmed that it is unable to provide snow and ice clearance and salt and grit supplies for all the areas identified within the Council, due to budget and resource limitations.
