Over €1m invested in Galway fleet services to combat unsafe winter roads
Road travel is set to look a little easier in the coming months as Galway County Council brings on more road maintenance vehicles for the winter season.
The council has expanded its fleet of vehicles for road maintenance and salt spreading across the five municipal districts on secondary and regional roads.
Three, brand new 26-tonne Renault tipper trucks, supplied by Setanta Vehicle Sales North Ltd in Dublin, will be delivered at a total cost of €600,000. This will further efforts in achieving the goal of the annual roads programme which aims to develop and maintain safe, accessible roads to all communities in the county.
Director of Services, Uinsinn Finn said there is a need to modernise and evolve with the level of need for fleet services in the winter.
He said: “These new trucks will not only improve efficiency in day-to-day roadworks but also allow us to treat more routes, more quickly, during winter weather events. The support from TII has been crucial in enabling us to make this upgrade.”
In addition, over half a million euro in funding has been allocated from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to bring on two permanent mounted salt spreaders with brine-spreading capability.
Last winter season, the county saw over 1,300km of road treated and over 8,000 tonnes of salt poured, so these additions are expected to increase the service area altogether impacting “safety and service deliver” according to Galway County Council Cathaoirleach, David Collins.,
“This investment in modern, high-capacity vehicles means our outdoor crews are better equipped than ever to maintain roads, respond quickly to weather events, and keep people moving safely. It is a very tangible improvement in the way we serve communities across County Galway.”