Council Must Publicise Winter Emergency Number

Council Must Publicise Winter Emergency Number

Sinn Féin councillor Henry Cremin has welcomed a report from the City Manager on preparations for severe winter conditions like those experienced last year, but said the council’s emergency number should be publicly advertised.

In response to a question from Cllr Cremin, the council stated it currently has 130 tonnes of salt in stock and this will be supplemented in coming weeks. Two new salt spreaders are due for delivery in the next few weeks, and a salting route has been laid out which prioritises main traffic routes, bus routes and areas adjacent to hospitals and schools. The council has a 24-hour emergency number in place for members of the public concerned over icy roads or paths, burst pipes, or other problems. There is also a freefone number held in reserve for activation during any major emergency.

While welcoming the measures taken by the council to deal with a repeat of the adverse weather conditions of last year, Cllr Cremin said “The council should publicise the existing 24-hour emergency number more widely rather than simply publishing it on its website, where most of the population of the city have no idea of its existence. An advertising campaign in the local newspapers and on local radio would alert people, particularly the elderly, to the fact there is an emergency service from the council if they need it over the coming winter.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Henry Cremin @ 086-2662874 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              086-2662874      end_of_the_skype_highlighting