Local Authorities are required to carry out an annual review of their winter operations and prepare a Winter Service Plan prior to the onset of winter. The purpose of the plan is to identify the processes, procedures and resources utilised in the provision of a winter maintenance service. Monaghan County Council in its plan endeavours to maintain a clearly defined network of priority traffic routes in a passable condition subject to resource availability. Primary responsibility for road safety remains at all times with all road users particularly drivers of vehicles.
To view map of Salting Routes please click the links:.
Salt Bin Scheme
The public are advised to:
- Look at the designated Salting Route 1 and Salting Route 2 (PDF) and decide the best options to ensure access to the main routes for emergency services and essential trips.
- Adapt their driving to the prevailing weather conditions.
- Have a winter service check carried out on their vehicles.
- Consider purchasing materials, salt and/or winter tyres for the winter.
- Consider car pooling or public transport.
- Visit our Winter Driving Section
- Visit the Be Winter Ready Website
Salting Routes Priority
Monaghan County Council will endeavour to prevent ice forming on 610km of Priority 1 and 2 routes as described below.
| Route Designation | Description | Level of Service |
| Priority 1 | All National Primary and National Secondary Roads | These routes are ordinarily treated during winter weather and receive pre and post salting treatment and ploughing when necessary. |
| Priority 2 | All Regional Roads and a number of heavily trafficked Local Roads | These routes are ordinarily treated during winter weather but may have interruptions to treatment in certain severe weather events |
| Priority 3 | Footpaths in urban centres and all other Local Roads. | Not treated as part of the normal winter service but may receive intermittent treatment during certain severe weather events subject to resource availability. |
The priority 1 and 2 salting routes are divided into 8 separate treatment routes for operational purposes as illustrated below.
| Treatment Route | Priority 1 | Priority 2 | Priority 3 |
| Mobilisation Time | 1 hr | 1 hr | When possible |
| Treatment Time | 2 hrs | 3-5 hrs | When possible |
Service Limitations
Despite the resources that are applied to providing the winter service, ice-free roads cannot be guaranteed. The motorist should remember the following:
- Approximately 76% of roads are not routinely salted.
- In Ireland there are a high proportion of marginal nights when temperatures are very close to zero. This makes it more difficult to accurately predict frost than in colder countries. As a consequence Met Éireann can only guarantee 80% accuracy in their forecasts
- It can take up to 4 hours to salt a route, so any journey may start or end on an untreated section of the route.
- In heavy rain, salt can be washed away and the wet surface may subsequently freeze if the temperature falls below zero.
- In cases of extended severe weather events, the network salted may have to be reduced to Priority 1 routes only.
- Spreading of Salt does not mean that the road surface will necessarily be ice free. In freezing conditions always drive with great care even if the road has been salted.