THE HIGH ground of North Wexford can be a difficult place in times of frost and snow, but Wexford County Council have plans in place to deal with any severe winter weather that might occur in the coming weeks.

There is a comprehensive snow plan and residents in Gorey will already have seen the grit boxes being placed around the town ready for use if snow and ice cover roads and footpaths.

Cllr. Malcolm Byrne has praised the level of preparation and the fact that main roads will get priority for gritting, but warned again that the Gorey to Carnew road must be addressed as part of any snow plan.

“On a number of occasions previously, this road was only gritted as far as Craanford and yet if you drove on, Wicklow County Council had ensured that the road was gritted and cleared from the Wicklow border through Carnew and on to Shillelagh,” said Cllr. Byrne.

“I would expect this time that the Engineers from Wexford and Wicklow would talk to each other and make appropriate arrangements.

I’m sure the road users don’t care whether it is a Wexford truck or a Wicklow truck that keeps the road gritted, clear and safe, so long as it is done.”

Cllr. Byrne pointed out that “many people in North Wexford use the road to get to school in Carnew or work in Carnew or Shillelagh, particularly at the meat plant. Equally, many people from Co. Wicklow come in to Gorey to work and to shop.”

He urged that people look out for their neighbours, especially the elderly, if a cold snap occurs and to help in any way possible by keeping footpaths clear of ice and snow.

Full story in this week’s edition of THE GOREY ECHO.