Council wasn't "unhelpful" during icy conditions, insists chief executive

Roger Wilson hit back at claims from councillors at Tuesday’s meeting of the Policy and Development Committee.

DUP Cllr Sam Cole asked why the Causeway Market in the Diamond had to be cancelled twice because of the icy conditions in the area.

“Traders were prepared to open their stalls if Coleraine Council had put down salt to facilitate that. It could have been easily remedied.

“I think Council should make it policy to facilitate the traders by providing salt in future.”

Cllr Billy Leonard agreed saying that Limavady Council had “done a good job” in managing to grit footpaths in some towns in their local authority area.

Cllr John Dallat said that it had to be a “two way street” between Council and Roads Service in the future, rather than “debating when the first snowflakes are falling”.

Garvagh councillor Adrian McQuillan said that he had negotiated to have grit left in Garvagh by the Roads Service but claimed that when he asked Council to allow the local road sweeper to spread the grit, was told that under no circumstances would that happen.

He said it was a very “negative approach”.

Cllr Maurice Bradley also claimed he was told by Roads Service that when they contacted Council “help was not forthcoming”.

He said that it all came down to a “fear of being sued”.

Cllr Timothy Deans said it was very unfair to “heap criticism” on Coleraine Council but Cllr McQuillan disagreed saying that in the circumstances, it should have been “all hands on deck.”

“I think Council took the right attitude,” Cllr Deans said, adding that it was Roads Service which “dragged its heels”.

Cllr Robert McPherson said that he wanted to see co-operation but insurance liability was the problem.

Chief Executive, Roger WIlson (pictured), said that Council and Roads Service had been in contact but added that “liability is the main stumbling block”.

“I understand that some councils decided to help out at their own risk but our insurers were unhappy with Coleraine Council taking on that responsibility.

“I am not aware of the feeling of Coleraine Council having been unhelpful or unwilling to help because that’s not the Coleraine Borough Council that I know.”