Winter Maintenance

The NRA in conjunction with the local authorities is responsible for over 5000 km of National Primary and Secondary Roads. A key aim is to keep these roads safe and free as possible from wintry hazards.

To that end, the local authorities spread salt before ice or snow is expected. The timing of the salting is carefully judged to be completed before freezing occurs (called Precautionary Salting). If snow settles, then snow blades are required to help keep the roads clear.

The NRA is constantly striving to improve the winter maintenance service. However the NRA and local authorities have no statutory obligation to salt roads.

Priority is given to the most heavily trafficed roads in carrying out salting operations i.e. salting resources are first focused on the busiest roads; motorways, dual carriageways and other National Primary Routes followed by the National Secondary Routes, so as to maximise benefits to road users.

The winter maintenance season usually lasts from November to March but the service is provided outside this period when necessary.

Whether to Salt

Delivery of the service depends on the weather forecast. Accurate forecasting of road surface temperature and humidity is critical when conditions are marginal i.e. when temperatures are close to zero. Unfortunately Ireland has a high proportion of such nights. An error of 1°C when the temperature is around zero matters a great deal whilst at 5°C it is largely irrelevant.

Forecasts are about 85% accurate. This can mean that there are 10 days in a winter when frost is not forecast, but actually occurs. There are also significant local weather variations that are difficult to forecast.

Weather forecasts are only a guide. Local authority expertise is vital in deciding when to salt.

Safe Winter Driving

The NRA has produced an information leaflet entitled "Safe Winter Driving". Please click here for a copy of the leaflet in PDF.