by Linda McGrory
SOME civil servants may swap their desks for road
salting duties as Donegal County Council prepares
for another bad winter.
Some 37 local authority workers from across the
entire staff spectrum recently applied to get
trained up for winter driving duties.
Senior roads engineer, Vincent Lynn, said the relief
team had to be hired internally because of the
recruitment embargo and changes in local authority
work practices.
He said the number of extra drivers required and
remuneration for the job were still being
negotiated.
Mr Lynn said Donegal County Council's winter
contingency plan is expected to be place by the end
of September.
"We are doing a complete review at the present time.
Thirty seven people, from across the whole spectrum
of the workforce within the council, responded to
get trained for winter maintenance," he said.
Donegal County Council routinely conducts annual
reviews of its winter operations.
However, the senior Council engineer said a "major
review" was required after last year's prolonged
spell of icy weather and heavy snow.
"Last year was a horrendous winter. I've never
experienced anything like it in my lifetime, so this
time, we are doing a review of everything.
"The critical problem last year was availability of
salt and this year that problem will be addressed.
Last year, about 150,000 tonnes (of salt) were used
around the whole country. This year at the start of
the season, there will be about 200,000 tonnes in
stock," he added. |
