Beggs Raises Grit Supply Concerns

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs has raised the issue of supplies of salt/grit to treat roads in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

During question time, the Minister for Regional Development, whose Department includes the Roads Service stated that, "approximately 3,500 salt bins that are provided on public roads. There have been no cutbacks to that service because of financial constraints. An ongoing top-up is available from the salt suppliers in Carrickfergus to ensure that we have enough to keep us going for as long as is necessary.

Mr Beggs raised the issue of supplies in a follow up supplementary question:
"Cutbacks in Great Britain have led to grit shortages. I accept the Minister's contention that there are no shortages here at present. Nevertheless, can he assure us that stocks remain to enable roadside gritting points to be replenished and that secondary routes, where necessary, will continue to be covered? How many days of grit stocks remain in Northern Ireland"

The Minister replied referring to the recent very cold spell, "because of the freezing weather conditions, Roads Service was using approximately 2,000 tons of grit a night. That may change if the weather alters. Roads Service was also getting 1,000 tons of grit back into the system from the suppliers in Carrickfergus. At that stage, under those conditions, it was estimated that there were enough supplies to last for another fortnight at least. However, we must bear in mind that the supply is being continuously topped up with 1,000 tons from the Carrickfergus supplier … the service that is being provided to date, on the roads and at the grit piles, will be available for the foreseeable future."

Commenting later from his office, Roy Beggs MLA added:
"In general I think that the Roads Service staff have done a sterling job in very difficult circumstances, replenishing the boxes and verge side piles in country areas. However, I do have concerns that if we have another prolonged cold spell before the end of the winter, whether there would be enough material left to grit the roads. Many of my constituents have noted that the latest material to be deposited in the grit boxes, and on the verges are screenings, not rock salt."