Louth County Council gritters make 32,850kms trek over winter season

Winter service operations across Louth increased significantly in 2022/23, with 32,850kms of county roads gritted, Louth County Council revealed.

The local authority has completed a review of the winter gritting season, which began in mid October 2022, and came to an end in late April 2023. In total there were 73 call outs made by engineers to salt and grit Louth’s roads. Almost all gritting is finished within three hours of initial call out, to prevent ice forming.

The total distance covered over the last winter season by Louth County Council drivers was over three quarters of the world’s circumference, with rock salt and brine solution used, both critical components in the prevention of ice on roads.

Approximately 2,186.22 tons of the salt material and brine solution were also utilised, enough to fill half of an Olympic swimming pool!

The winter service operations covered six routes in 2022/23 season, up from the normal four routes after many years.  The six routes were in the North East, North West, South West, South East, Drogheda, and Dundalk. Details of specific roads gritted are listed on the Louth County Council website (www.louthcoco.ie).

Louth County Council has thanked all involved in winter service operations, particularly the large team of expert trained council drivers and supervisors, who sacrifice late nights and work unsociable hours,  in order to keep Louth’s road safe for motorists, all through the winter months.

Gritters-at-salt-yard.