Addition of salt bins to housing estates across the county is to be examined as part of a review into the winter maintenance programme of Clare County Council.

It comes off the back of a proposal from Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) seeking the introduction of a subsidised scheme that would allow for the provision of salt bins in housing estates across Clare. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded the motion.

Senior engineer, John Leahy confirmed that the winter maintenance programme would be reviewed this summer which will involve consultation with councillors. “Another means of getting additional salting completed locally, especially in problem areas, is to give additional capacity to the Municipal Districts for winter maintenance. This will require a small capital investment in each MD but would be very beneficial locally, and would be a preferable way of managing the salt stock locally”.

Residents in estates where no gritting is conducted brought the matter to the attention of the county’s youngest elected representative. “I know Clare County Council lorries can’t cover every square inch of the county and I know it is not just an urban issue and it is a rural issue so plans will have to be looked at for gritting the county”.

Cork County Council have adopted a subsidised scheme to enable such a progress to be completed, Cllr Nestor highlighted where salt bins at provided at a reduced cost. “Hopefully something can be done to provide gritting for areas not currently covered”.

An extension of gritting to national schools must also be considered, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) believed.
“There are a lot of problems around national schools in frosty weather, it would be a major help”.

Years previous, a similar scheme was in operation in the Shannon District, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) recalled. “I would recommend that Clare County Council when the period of need is over that they remove salt bins back to the compound because there can be a degree of anti-social behaviour attached to it”.