Council prepares for the ‘worst winter weather’

Having gone to the assistance of DRD Roads Service by helping to grit roads and footpaths during the Big Freeze of 2010, the local authority has identified three key goals: to maintain safe access to its own facilities; responding to any request from Roads Service to initiate clearance of footpaths; and to ensure that disruption to refuse collection is minimised in the event of prolonged severe weather.

The council has stockpiled 14 tonnes of salt and allocated staff to facilities for gritting and clearance. Snow shovels, hand-pushed spreaders and shoe grips are all available.

Agreement has been reached with DRD regarding priority footpath snow and ice clearance in Larne town, the shops at Craigyhill and Seacourt and in Carnlough, Glenarm, Ballygally, Islandmagee and Ballycarry. In addition, up to five local farmers may be called upon to help with road clearance.

Press releases have been prepared in advance to inform the public that if a bin is not collected on the normal day they should leave it available for collection, which will be at the earliest opportunity. In exceptional circumstances, householders who have not had bins collected should bag waste, which will be accepted when collections resume.