AQW 32761/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 03/10/2025
Answered On Date: 10/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she will consider adding (i) St Olcan's Primary School, Armoy; (ii) St Patrick's Primary School and Nursery Unit, Loughguile; and (iii) Gaelscoil An Chaistil, Ballycastle, to the winter gritting schedule, in light of the particularly dangerous conditions experienced outside these schools last year.

Answer:

The salted network is 7,000km long, covering 28% of the road network and facilitating approximately 80% of traffic. This network has been developed in line with my Department’s Winter Service Policy RSPPG E022.

Details of all salting routes can be viewed on my Department’s website via the following link; DFI Roads Salted Network.

Unfortunately St Olcan’s Primary School, Armoy; St Patrick’s Primary School and Nursery Unit, Loughguile; and Gaelscoil An Chaistil, Ballycastle do not meet the qualifying criteria for inclusion in the schedule of salted routes.

Schools affected by snow or ice on the adjacent network can request a salt bin and/or grit piles on the shortest route connecting the school to the salting schedule, for use on a self help basis.

In relation to Gaelscoil An Chaistil, Ballycastle, I can advise that Kilns Road / Mill Street will be treated, as part of the diversionary route, for the duration of the Fairhill Street Road closure.