Additional funding needed to deal with the big freeze
Issued : Monday 6 December, 2010
Councillor Anton Mc Cabe has welcomed the announcement that an additional €15 million in contingency funding for local authorities is to cover exceptional costs associated with the current extreme weather.
Cllr Mc Cabe says that the Local authorities have been working day and night during the snow and freezing weather to keep roads open,and to make footpaths as safe as possible, and to provide emergency services to local communities.
"There have been reports that some local authorities have had to scale back on road clearance and gritting because of concerns over payment of overtime. I trust that this extra tranche of money will free councils up to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure their areas are as safe as conditions will permit.
"In addition, I welcome the announcement that the Dept of Environment are to contact local authorities to clarify to them that there are no legal impediments to the practice of distributing grit or salt, free of charge to members of local communities, so they can treat local roads themselves.
Cllr Mc Cabe put down a motion at the November meeting of Navan Town Council requesting that grit and salt be made available to communities so they could play their part in making their areas safe to walk and drive in.
"This clarification should mean that councils will make a common sense approach and work with local communities during a freeze up, thus sharing the burden of work
