01/10/2013
Department Must Prioritise Winter Service Fleet
One of the key priorities for the Department for Regional Development this winter will be the upkeep and replacement of gritters, according to an independent review.
Following severe weather in January to March this year, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy commissioned a report by the National Winter Service Research Group to examine how the effects of winter weather could be lessened over the coming months.
A total of 14 recommendations were made on winter service policy and procedures.
One of the key recommendations from the review was that the winter service fleet replacement programme continues to be prioritised.
Minister Kennedy said: "My department has recently bought 12 new gritters at a cost of £900,000 which will be incorporated into our current fleet of 132. The new fleet will help in delivering more reliable winter service operations in the most extreme conditions.
"Whilst the purchase of these new gritters is welcome, the report highlights the necessity for an ongoing replacement of the fleet. During the severe weather this year, there were break-downs which resulted in delays to gritters salting the roads. In my view this was simply unacceptable - given it impacted on the public.
"I am committed to an improved winter service fleet and continue to seek Executive funding for better equipment."
Concluding, the Minister said he had now written again to the Councils seeking their continued support for the forthcoming winter.
"In relation to the two councils where no agreements exist – Antrim and Castlereagh, I have written pointing out the importance of government bodies working together and I hope they will formally come on board," he said.
(IT/JP)
Following severe weather in January to March this year, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy commissioned a report by the National Winter Service Research Group to examine how the effects of winter weather could be lessened over the coming months.
A total of 14 recommendations were made on winter service policy and procedures.
One of the key recommendations from the review was that the winter service fleet replacement programme continues to be prioritised.
Minister Kennedy said: "My department has recently bought 12 new gritters at a cost of £900,000 which will be incorporated into our current fleet of 132. The new fleet will help in delivering more reliable winter service operations in the most extreme conditions.
"Whilst the purchase of these new gritters is welcome, the report highlights the necessity for an ongoing replacement of the fleet. During the severe weather this year, there were break-downs which resulted in delays to gritters salting the roads. In my view this was simply unacceptable - given it impacted on the public.
"I am committed to an improved winter service fleet and continue to seek Executive funding for better equipment."
Concluding, the Minister said he had now written again to the Councils seeking their continued support for the forthcoming winter.
"In relation to the two councils where no agreements exist – Antrim and Castlereagh, I have written pointing out the importance of government bodies working together and I hope they will formally come on board," he said.
(IT/JP)
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