Gritting services suspended, say council, as weather worsens

Louth County Council have suspended all gritting services in light of the severe weather conditions. 

The decision was made this morning at a special meeting of statutory agencies, convened by Louth County Council Chief Executive Joan Martin. 

The local authority say all Services have now been suspended with gritting services "hopefully resuming" at 3pm tomorrow (Friday March 2nd). They say crews and contractors will be deployed at 9am on Saturday March 3rd to recommence clearing of footpaths.

'Traders and property owners are encouraged to clear footpaths outside their own properties when it is safe to do so,' the counci said in a statement.

'Louth County Council advise all communities to adhere to the national and local warnings and not venture out until at least the red status warning is reduced.'

Representatives from An Garda Síochána and the Health Services Executive joined senior members of the local authority this morning to review plans for the respective agencies in light of the revised Red
Status warning that has now been extended to 3pm on Friday.

Yesterday, the council communicated that all council buildings - including parks, libraries and offices, were to close in light of the Status Red.

Gritting Crews continued to operateovernight night and used a total of 220 tonnes of rock salt gritting an aggregate of 1780 kilometres of National, Regional and town centre roads.