DRD and Council team up to keep Coleraine frost free

At a meeting of the Leisure and Environment Committee, department head Kieran Doherty, told councillors that Council and the Department of Regional Development (DRD) had formed a “memorandum of understanding” or MOU to prevent a repeat of 2010 when sub zero temperatures and heavy snowfall forced traders to quit and go home.

Still in draft form, the memorandum proposes that Roads Service and Council share responsibility in looking after gritting and snow clearance operations, however, Roads Service would lead any discussions as to target areas.

The seven main areas identified in the talks are: Roads Service to lead on choosing which areas to treat; Roads Service will trigger salting operations based on grit availability and weather conditions: Roads Service to provide free salt to Council for treating footpaths on an agreed schedule; DRD to extend its insurance cover to council workers; Council agree to provide staff to DRD as and when demand increases; Council are permitting to delegate any or all of the work to private or outside agencies and finally, Council will be responsible for supervising its own staff.

It is envisaged that the entire operation could be completed with only eight staff - all drawn from other jobs within Council - and at a total cost of only £15.000.

“Given the schedule of streets and footways proposed with the MOU and the fact that this agreement is for periods of heavy snow or prolonged frost, it is expected that staff can be provided from within existing resources.” said the Corporate Director of Environmental Services.

“It is further proposed to use existing equipment drawn largely from the Parks Department retrofitted with now ploughing blades and salt/grit spinners. It is estimated that this will cost approximately £15,000.”

“I would recommend that Council agree the principles of the MOU with DRD Roads Service and make the necessary resources available to deliver its role therein,” he added.