Grit bins may be introduced in Limerick
COUNCIL could introduce salt grit bins across the city next year in order to allow streets and pavements to be cleared of ice more quickly.
Kieran Lehane, the local authority's manager in the metropolitan district said he is "very open" to the idea of introducing the measure to the streets of the city next winter.
It came after councillors called for some grit to be given to traders to allow them to ensure the outside of their shops were free of slipping hazards.
Fine Gael councillor Daniel McSweeney pointed out that salt bins are seen regularly across Dublin.
"Money seems to be plentiful. If we can't keep the city and its traders open for business, we might as well give up," he said.
Mr Lehane suggested reviewing the measure this coming September ahead of the next winter season.
This comes against the backdrop of plunging temperatures once again seeing Limerick people wake up to icy, and slippery roads and footpaths.
Labour councillor Elena Secas saw a notice of motion passed calling on council to ensure footpaths around "key locations" like schools, shops, post offices and housing estates are in the winter maintenance plan - which governs what areas are salted - and made safe in short order by authority staff.
She said: "Footpaths and roads within housing estates are not included in the winter maintenance plan. While I appreciate that it is not possible to treat all footpaths and all housing estates, I believe that key strategic locations, such as the city centre, hospitals, schools, shops, bus stops, etc., as well as roads in certain housing estates where their landscape warrants it, should be treated in order to enable people, especially vulnerable people, to get to places in icy weather conditions."
The City East member said many people had contacted her to say they'd missed hospital appointments, work and other commitments as they did not feel safe leaving their estate.
"There are estates, such as Kilbane, Foxhollow in Castletroy, for example, where one really needs to crawl around corners during icy weather because the road conditions are extremely dangerous. I had reports of cars stuck on the road, bad skid, burst tyres and falls," she added.
Labour councillor Conor Sheehan seconded her motion, while it also secured support from metropolitan district leader, Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan, plus councillors Elisa O'Donovan and McSweeney.
Councillor Sarah Kiely said: "We need to identify blackspots and keep a log of them. The streets around the Milk Market were like an ice rink after the gigs. People are having to walk on hazardous roads."
In a written reply, roads director Hugh McGrath he stated it's not possible to treat every road and footpath due to their sheer number
"Limerick City and County Council treat up to 20% of the road network for a given weather event. It's not possible to include all footpaths and housing estates in the winter maintenance plan. In a more severe or prolonged cold snap, district engineers review the need for additional treatments. Such actions take place on a case-by-case basis, and the extent of such measuires relate to availability of resources," he added.
Councillor Secas said she is "really disappointed" by the reply, given it was the same one given to members last month when the concerns were first raised.
Mr McGrath added the situation arises only on a minority of occasions during the year.
"Engineers are already on alert for this cold snap," he added, acknowledging it will not necessarily be as cold as it was before Christmas.