AQW 20106/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/01/2025
Answered On Date: 22/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the current criteria being used to decide which rural roads are included in a gritting schedule.

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.