Call for Donegal County Council gritters to have earlier start

Donegal County Council has been urged to deploy its gritting fleet earlier in the mornings.

The gritters were out in recent days after temperatures plummeted.

Generally, the gritters begin at 6am, but Fianna Fail Councillor Patrick McGowan has implored the local authority to change the time.

“I am told the routes take approx two to two and a half hours,” Councillor McGowan said.

“It then takes at least a half hour for the salt to work. It means that the roads are only thawed out about three hours after the current starting times (i.e. 9am).

“All workers are already at their work by this time, so the current gritting programme is missing the majority of people.”

Councillor McGowan has submitted his proposal to Bryan Cannon, Donegal County Council's Director of Roads and Transportation.

Councillor McGowan said: “There would be no real increase in costs to an earlier start time, as the same salt would be used and it would benefit the public much better.

“Is this something that can be considered? Please can you discuss this with senior road staff now so that it can be implemented in time for later this year when the winter salting route will be due a review.”