Kildare's winter road salting programme is 'at capacity'

Kildare County Council are not currently set to salt additional routes this winter because they are at capacity.

Councillors at the July meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District were informed of the news as they were considering a motion by cllr Kevin Duffy that they authority should consider extending the salting route on the R424 (Portarlington) from the drawbridge to over the Pass Bridge on safety grounds.

The councillor told the meeting that the section of road concerned was "not extensive", but that the height of the bridge as it crosses the River Barrow means that it becomes "impassable and dangerous" whenever there is frost.

Officials said 705km of roads in the county are salted during the winter maintenance season and that the percentage treated, approximately 27.5pc of the roads network, is higher than in neighbouring counties. The treatment is currently at capacity in terms of the availability of trucks and drivers, however, the matter will be taken to the county engineers meeting and they will revert back to cllr Duffy.

The Pass Bridge dates back to the 1700s and is of considerable historical and social significance on the main road from Monasterevin to Portarlington.

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