Details of council’s gritting programme

‘Our salt is in stock. Our barns are full. Staff and equipment are ready to respond if required,’ was the assurance senior engineer Damien Grennan gave to members of Westmeath County Council, as he outlined details of the council's winter gritting programme.

Mr Grennan was presenting the council’s winter readiness plan for 2025–2026, explaining how the local authority prepares for frost, ice, snow and storms in the months ahead. The aim, he said, is simple but essential — to keep Westmeath’s major routes safe and as free as possible from hazardous road conditions.

Westmeath’s winter gritting network extends to 566 kilometres of road, covering all motorways, dual carriageways, and national primary and secondary routes, which are treated as priority one. The council also treats 100% of regional roads and selected local roads designated as priority two routes.

Reviewing last winter’s operations, Mr Grennan said the season had been mild overall, though punctuated by “a very cold spell in the first ten days of January” and three named storms — Ashley, Darragh and Eowyn — which brought severe winds and challenging conditions for outdoor crews.

Average road temperatures were around five degrees, and while frost was less severe than the previous year, rainfall and storm activity were notably higher. Across the country, 113,000 tonnes of salt were used in winter maintenance; Westmeath’s share was 3,364 tonnes, up from 2,500 the previous year.

The council carried out 41 nights of gritting, resulting in 64 separate treatment events, with some nights requiring double or even triple runs due to prolonged freezing. “During the January cold spell, we had three nights where the same roads had to be treated three times within 24 hours,” he said.

The most testing event came with Storm Eowyn in late January, which caused widespread damage across Ireland. “That Friday, as the storm passed, we had a significant amount of fallen trees across our county — many of them on our treated network — yet we still had to grit that night,” said Mr Grennan.

He praised the efforts of council staff and drivers who “worked in very challenging conditions” to clear debris and keep key routes open. “Fair play to our outdoor staff,” he said. “Their priority was to clear the national routes, and they did so, allowing our gritting crews to get out safely.”

Kilbeggan recorded one of the lowest local temperatures at minus 6.1°C during the January freeze, compared to a national low of minus 8.1°C.

Mr Grennan said the council continuously invests in new technology and equipment to improve efficiency and accuracy in decision-making.

“We’re also adding a new road ice weather station on the N52 south of Delvin, and new ground monitoring locations around the county,” he said. “It’s all about gathering as much information as possible to make accurate calls.”

A new brine storage facility in Athlone adds 20,000 litres of capacity, while a new nine-cubic-metre gritter has been added to the fleet. Across the county, Westmeath now operates seven gritting trucks, 12 snowploughs and two loading shovels, with two depots holding a combined 1,500 tonnes of salt and 70,000 litres of brine.

The winter maintenance season officially began on October 13, 2025, and will continue until April 13, 2026. The programme involves five duty engineers and seven dedicated drivers, supported by relief drivers for longer or more severe events.

Each gritting route must be completed within four hours, a critical safety standard that limits how far networks can be expanded. “We’re sailing close to that on some routes,” he said. “It’s not as simple as just adding more — we have to ensure response times are achievable.”

Coordination with neighbouring local authorities is also key. “Roads don’t stop at county boundaries,” Mr Grennan said. “We liaise with adjoining councils to ensure route continuity, so if you’re travelling across borders, you’ll know the same standard applies.”

Public communication is central to the council’s preparedness, with winter gritting routes and updates published annually on its website and social media channels. “Before any cold spell, we push information out through the press and social media,” he said.

He also praised local communities, particularly farmers, for stepping in during prolonged or severe snowfalls. “Community involvement is essential. We can’t get everywhere when snow is heavy, and local help makes all the difference.”

Beyond frost and snow, the council maintains readiness for storms and flooding through its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) and Crisis Management Team, which coordinate with the National Emergency Coordination Group and Met Éireann.

Mr Grennan said the county’s flood emergency plan remains in place, with the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme now “substantially complete.” District engineers have advanced programmes for gully and storm drain cleaning, and sandbags are kept in stock.

Information sharing with the ESB, OPW and Met Éireann helps predict river levels and flood risks, particularly on the Shannon. The council also receives daily updates from the National Severe Weather and Flood Forecast Centre and European flood awareness systems.

Public safety advice, including travel warnings, checking on vulnerable neighbours, and using the Be Winter Ready and Flooding.ie websites, will continue to be shared through council channels.

In closing, Mr Grennan said the council’s winter maintenance and emergency response systems were in strong shape for the season ahead.

“Our salt is in stock, our barns are full, and our crews are ready to respond,” he reiterated. “The key message for everyone is to plan, prepare and protect — and above all, to stay safe on the roads this winter.”