Road gritting fears after school bus slide

Road gritting fears after school bus slide

13 December 2017

A NUMBER of primary school children on a bus which skidded in treacherous conditions on the Dromara Road near Leitrim on Monday escaped unharmed.

The incident has prompted calls from local politicians for Transport NI to include the road, which is used by Education Authority and Translink buses, to be included on the gritting schedule. The rear of the bus ended up on a grass verge during the incident.

South Down MLA, Colin McGrath, and Slieve Croob councillor, Mark Murnin, have appealed to Transport NI to act swiftly and ensure the road is gritted given that winter has a few more months to run.

“This road needs to be on the gritting schedule,” declared Mr McGrath. “Monday’s incident was a near miss and given the Dromara Road is used by school buses it should be gritted.”

The MLA said temperatures across the district plummeted last weekend and on Monday and Tuesday of this week and it is vital roads which are used to transport children and other passengers are gritted to ensure they are safe.

He added: “Road safety has to be paramount and I hope Transport NI will act and include the Dromara Road on its gritting schedule as soon as possible.”

Councillor Murnin said it is his understanding that there were three or four children on the bus when the vehicle slid in icy conditions on Monday.

“I understand that the topography in this area is difficult, particularly during periods of adverse weather, and will be making representations to the Department for Infrastructure seeking the inclusion of Dromara Road on the routine gritting schedule,” he said.

Councillor Murnin said he has been attempting to have the road included on the schedule and hopes what happened on Monday will focus minds.

He added: “This particular road was designated a bus route a few years ago and it should be gritted. Road conditions across the district have been horrendous for the past few days and it is vital everything is done to ensure they are safe, in particular, those used by Education Authority and Translink buses.”