Offaly County Council Winter Service Plan
The weather forecast for the remainder of the week indicates unsettled and very cold weather with frost and some sleet and snow anticipated. Offaly County Council prepare for such a week and any night where frost is forecast in line with our Winter Service Plan available on our website. (https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Roads/Winter-Maintenance/)
Offaly County Council treats 430km of national routes and regional routes above a certain traffic count. Routes are prioritised on the volume of traffic on the roads. We treat 4 routes for each run taking 4 – 5 hours or longer depending on conditions. Offaly County Council Engineers will monitor the forecast in conjunction with information and graphs from the weather stations across the Region to determine the level of salt treatment required and the best time to start treating. If necessary our drivers will cover the routes a number of times throughout the day and night. If the snow is significant to warrant ploughing we will plough and treat. Our salt barns are full and the plant and equipment is checked and ready to mobilise.
Unnecessary travel during periods of severe weather should be avoided if at all possible. Those taking to the roads should do so with due care and attention considering the conditions to be encountered. Road users should not assume that roads included in the winter service plan have been treated and are free of ice at all times. Motorists and pedestrians are requested to make themselves aware of the Road Safety Authorities guide to driving in winter conditions. Some useful tips for driving in such conditions is available at http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Campaigns/Current-road-safety-campaigns/Severe-Weather-Advice/
Offaly County Council also urge the public to familiarise themselves with other winter preparedness tips at https://www.winterready.ie/en
Regular updates will be available during severe weather periods on www.offaly.ie, Offaly Count Counci's social Media platforms and through local broadcast media.
