Six new salt spreaders added to county Cork fleet

SIX state-of-the-art salt spreaders, each valued at over €220,000, have been added to Cork County Council’s machinery fleet.

The spreaders will bolster the council’s road maintenance during adverse weather.

Four of the new salt spreaders were funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), with the remaining two funded directly by Cork County Council.

They will replace the oldest machines and will be based across the county, with three in the council’s machinery yard in Mallow, one in Ballincollig, one in Glanmire, and one in Skibbereen.

“These new vehicles represent a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of road users during the winter months,” the Mayor of the County of Cork Frank O’Flynn, said.

“The vehicles will operate from key locations across the county, ensuring we are equipped to respond to changing weather conditions and proactively address potential hazards on our roads.”

Cork County Council has 25 salt spreaders, varying in type and age.

The fleet modernisation will replace older units with newer, more technologically advanced models, contributing to a more reliable and efficient winter service , and it is ongoing.

The local authority said plans are under way to secure TII funding for additional new vehicles next year.

Chief executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said the council recognises “the vital role” salt spreaders play in keeping roads safe during winter.

“Investing in modern equipment ensures that our dedicated teams can respond effectively to weather challenges, contributing to overall community safety,” Ms O'Sullivan said.

“We are grateful for the support and strong partnership we have with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which enables us to deploy modern winter=service vehicles for the benefit of the community and prioritise road safety,” she added.