Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Andrew Doyle, has said access to the Sally Gap during the winter month must be addressed, particularly during snowy periods. During spells of bad snow and ice weather conditions, hundreds of people every winter end up in need of assistance from voluntary rescue services.
Deputy Doyle said, “During the winter months, the Sally Gap roads are particularly treacherous during tines of bad weather. Every week during bad spells, we hear stories in the news of people being rescued in their cars. The work of Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and Dublin Mountain Rescue and others must be commended in the work they do in the Sally Gap all year round, but particularly in the winter. In 2012, the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue team responded to 56 calls during the winter months and Glen of Imaal Rescue team are reporting a comparable number of callouts in 2013 to date due to the prolonged bad weather.”
“Now that we are coming into the summer months, I believe now is the time for many of the issues to be addressed before next winter”, stated Deputy Doyle.
“A working group made up of mountain rescue organisations, local Gardai and County Council officials is now in place to formulate methods to reduce the number of incidents for the 2013/2014 winter. Some ideas that have been thought of to date include more signage on access routes to alert motorists to the dangers of using the roads in the area during inclement weather and also the Scottish practise of routinely closing roads through the use of snow gates. I know the local authority will listen to all views on this matter and would welcome input from all stakeholders, including the residents living in the area.”
“I have written to the Minister for Transport to seek his input into this matter and to find a workable way forward to improve motorists safety, while at the same time ensuring local access for residents living in the area. I will be continuing to press for common sense solutions on this matter”, concluded Deputy Doyle.