SINN Féin Councillor Mickey Cooper has welcomed the news that Derry City & Strabane District Council is to provide four large community grit boxes to areas across the city.Councillor Cooper said: “I have been lobbying council hard on this issue for some time and It is anticipated the boxes will be in place before the end of the financial year.
“Through the scheme four large grit boxes will be located in Creggan, Shantallow, Waterside and the rural district.
“The logistics will involve consignments of grit being provided by Road Service for collection and distribution by community organisations during periods of extreme weather.
“The grit will be stored in the boxes which will be administered by the local community organisations.
“It can then be distributed into areas of the city where grit boxes are not provided by Roads Service as the streets in question do not meet the criteria for a grit box.
“The community organisations will be able to liaise with elected reps and other community activists to identify where the demand for grit exists to ensure the supply is used most effectively.
“I am sure that residents of streets which are regularly affected by icy footpaths but which don’t have a grit box will be delighted that this additional service will now be available,” added Cllr Cooper
