AQW 20056/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the process for ensuring roads are gritted prior to dangerous driving conditions.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 7 January 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Priority
- Tabled
- 7 January 2025
- Answer due by
- 15 January 2025
- Answered
- 15 January 20258 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
The current winter service policy and procedures operated by the Department utilises the widely accepted practice of targeting limited resources for this service on the higher trafficked main through routes and can be viewed on the Departments website below.
https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/winter-service-rsppg-e022
The application of this policy means that 28% of the total road network, which carries around 80% of traffic, is salted. It must, however, be emphasised that the service provided cannot eliminate the risks and even on roads that are gritted, ice free conditions cannot be guaranteed.
As road users we all need to be mindful of the road conditions and adjust the way we drive, ride or cycle and during particularly wintry conditions people should only travel if absolutely necessary.