Review of winter service programme in Northern Ireland published

03/10/2013 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

An independent review into the delivery of the winter service programme by Roads Service in Northern Ireland has been published.

Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy (pictured) said that overall the findings of the review, which was carried out by the National Winter Service Research Group, were positive.

He said: “Following the severe weather in January and March of this year, I believed it was important to assess the effectiveness of our arrangements and identify areas for improvement.

“I am encouraged that the review has been generally positive and has praised the experience and professionalism of DRD frontline staff."

A total of 14 recommendations were made in on winter service policy and procedures.

One of the key recommendations from the review was that the winter service fleet replacement programme continues to be prioritised.

The Minister added: “My department has recently bought 12 new gritters at a cost of £900,000 which will be incorporated into our current fleet of 132. The new fleet will help in delivering more reliable winter service operations in the most extreme conditions.

“Whilst the purchase of these new gritters is welcome, the report highlights the necessity for an ongoing replacement of the fleet. During the severe weather this year, there were breakdowns which resulted in delays to gritters salting the roads. In my view this was simply unacceptable - given it impacted on the public.

“I am committed to an improved winter service fleet and continue to seek funding for better equipment.”

An action plan has been prepared to deal with the recommendations of the review.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Assistant Director Highways Delivery

Grade 16 £68,994 - £75,092 per annum
Are you ready to take your career in highways management to the next level? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Commercial Manager

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 pro rata
Are you an experienced commercial leader with a passion for infrastructure and highway projects? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Design Manager

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum
The Highway Design Manager will lead design teams within Professional Services. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Major Projects Delivery Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum
Are you a seasoned project manager with a passion for delivering large-scale infrastructure projects? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum
Are you an experienced leader in highway engineering and construction supervision? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Commissioner Print

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 pro rata
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Contract Network Manager

£53,289 - £60,830 per annum
Leading a small professional team for all operational highway network management matters. Crewe, Cheshire
Recruiter: Cheshire East Council

Contract Commercial Officer

£40,476 - £46,581 per annum
Day-to-day commercial management of the contract with Cheshire East’s Highways service provider. Holmes Chapel, Crewe
Recruiter: Cheshire East Council

Contract Quantity Surveyor x2

£40,476 - £46,581 Per Annum
To support the Client function in the effective management of the Highway Service Crewe, Cheshire
Recruiter: Cheshire East Council

Highway Assurance Engineer x2

£40,476 - £46,581 per annum
We are currently recruiting for x2 Highway Assurance Engineer's. Crewe, Cheshire
Recruiter: Cheshire East Council

Team Leader LGV Driver (Containers)

£27,711 - £30,559
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Multi Skilled Operative (Career Grade 3-6) X 3

£24,027 - £30,559
We are seeking enthusiastic and capable colleagues to join our Highway Operations team that forms part of the Highway Network Management. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (Career Grade G4 - G6)

£24,790 - £30,559
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Section 38 and 278 Team as a Civil Engineering Technician Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Engineer HDM (Career Grade)

£31,067 - £44,711
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Principal Road Safety Engineer

BG12
Bristol City Council
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Senior Climate Action Officer - Castle Point District Council

£41511.0000 - £45718.0000 per annum
Senior Climate Action Officer - Castle Point District CouncilCastle Point Borough CouncilSecondment, Full Time 6 month FTC or Secondment opportunity£4 England, Essex
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Assistant Road Safety Officer/Engineer x2

BG8
Bristol City Council
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Road Safety Officer/Engineer x2

BG10
Bristol City Council
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Senior Road Safety Engineer

BG11
Bristol City Council
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Road Safety Technical Lead

BG13
Bristol City Council
Recruiter: Bristol City Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW