To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether the Killyglen Link Road area, Larne, will be added to the list of areas to be gritted during periods of snow or ice.

My Department routinely treats over 7,000 kms (28%) of the road network, which covers 80% of all traffic movements. Salting schedules are defined through the application of departmental policy ensuring a consistent application of winter service provision across the north.

My Department’s policy confirms that where a parallel route is included in the salted network, then any through route does not require treatment. However, my officials will carry out traffic surveys on both the Killyglen Link Road and the northern section of the Linn Road, to determine if the gritting schedule requires any amendment for next season. This may result in the removal of the northern section of the Linn Road to allow for the inclusion of Killglen Link.