COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 10, 2011

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor E. Higgins

To ask the Manager to outline preparation measures for dealing with any adverse road conditions, such as ice and snow, during the winter months?

REPLY:

Following the last winter season October 2010- April 2011, the Roads Department carried out a review of its entire winter maintenance responses.  This Review included a complete re-examination of the gritting routes having regard to the feedback that was obtained during the severe weather incidences and the formal updating of the Winter Services Manual. A presentation in this regard will be made to all the Area Committees in the coming weeks.

Members should also note that in conjunction with other Departments in the Council that significant additional preparatory works have been carried out including the following:

•  In conjunction with the Environment Department, a Useful Tips and Hints Leaflet was published and has been circulated to all households in the County
• A range of further guides and information leaflets has also been prepared which will be available for publication in response to specific weather conditions arriving. These guides will be particularly suitable for use with the Council’s Social Media sites
• A list of recommended locations will be included in the reports to be made to the Area Committees identifying pilot locations where supplies of salt / grit will be made available so that local residents and others who have volunteered to spread the salt / grit can access local supplies. In conjunction with the Parks and Environment Departments the winter maintenance responses will now include a schedule of footpaths in priority order which will be cleared by specialist machinery in the event of significant snowfalls
• In conjunction with the Community Services Department contact has been maintained with the Volunteer Bureau and the Community Forum to ensure that a more co-ordinated response to any possible severe weather event is achieved.
• A review of the role and contribution of the Council’s Traffic Management Centre has also been carried out. The successful co-ordination of the intra agency and inter agency responses was possible from this centre.
• The Council’s communications systems were reviewed. In addition, the expansion of the use of social media was successfully trialled and implemented. The public and business community will be advised of any ongoing situation using the Council’s Website, Customer Care Team, Twitter, Facebook, E-Mail, SMS text and regular press releases.