Put salt bins in Kilkenny communities for the winter freeze - Local councillor says

The official period of winter roads maintenance by Kilkenny County Council has begun this week.

Plans for salting of roads in the county, in the event of freezing weather, was set out to local councillors at the recent meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District representatives.

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, said the winter maintenance period runs from October 13, 2025, to April 27, 2026.
Roads that will be salted, if the need arises, are divided into three priority groups, with the motorway serviced by a separate contractor.

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Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads (busier/main routes) will be salted when the weather forecasts temperatures below zero. Priority 3 roads will only be salted when there is an Orange Weather Warning.
There is no change from the roads in each category from last year.

Mr Murphy advised motorists not to assume a road has been salted.
In times of severe weather the roads crews can be mobilised again during the day, he told councillors.

Municipal District chairman, Cllr Joe Lyons, said it would be important that roads to rural schools be covered.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen suggested that salt bins be located in some rural areas so that locals can get involved in the safety efforts by salting footpaths.

In the snowy weather last year road crews were inundated, she recalled, and this would take some of the pressure off them, allowing them to concentrate on roads.

Cllr Cullen suggested they be located in areas like Bennettsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge.

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The salt would not go to waste, she said, because if it doesn’t snow this year it will next year.
Having salt bins in communities would add to health and safety.

Mr Murphy said that with 14 towns and villages in the district all decisions come down to resources and costs.
However, he said he would bring the suggestion back to the roads department of the county council.