Southern Divisional Roads Manager, Kevin Monaghan has warned motorists to take extra care while driving, as winter approaches.

The Divisional Roads Manager was speaking at the start of Roads Service's annual Winter Service operation.

Mr Monaghan said: "Every night from now until the middle of next April, we will have almost 80 personnel on standby to salt main roads, helping drivers to cope with wintry conditions. Salt barns are stocked to maximum capacity in Southern Division which encompasses the council areas of Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne.

"When ice or snow is forecast, over 30 gritters in Southern Division can salt the main network, in just over three hours, a massive logistical exercise that costs around £17,000 each time it takes place.

"It is extremely difficult to predict what nature will throw at us. We must always be ready for exceptional weather conditions like last year when we experienced the worst winter in over 100 years. Nowhere escaped the impact of the adverse weather last year and gritting operations continued around the clock to keep main routes open."

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While understanding the concerns of those who use the more lightly trafficked roads that are not included in the salted network, the Divisional Roads Manager explained that it is simply not practical to salt all roads.

The Divisional Roads Manager said: "Roads Service's limited resources must remain targeted on busier routes carrying most traffic. Last year it cost £10million to grit the main routes in Northern Ireland. It would cost more than £35million to grit all roads in Northern Ireland, in a similar winter. In addition, if we were to grit the pavements during the winter season, it would cost more than £600,000 for each treatment."

Mr Monaghan also said he was aware of the difficulties experienced by the public on town centre footpaths last year and he hoped partnership agreements with Councils would ease these difficulties. He said: "Several weeks ago, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy announced that the Department for Regional Development had reached an agreement in principle with Northern Ireland Local Government (NILGA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE). It is now hoped that this will lead to the roll out of local agreements with each council.

"For Councils availing of the agreements, the Department will make salt and grit available free of charge to Councils, supply manpower, where resources permit and provide an indemnity to Councils or groups working on their behalf."

The Divisional Manager warned that even with the most careful and thorough planning, the use of special Met. Office forecasts and the latest ice prediction technology, Winter Service is really a battle against the elements and ice-free roads cannot be guaranteed.

(CD)