In-line with the requirements of a European Directive 2004/54/EC, additional fire protection measures are required to enhance public safety, asset protection and route protection of the Jack Lynch tunnel.

The National Roads Authority has agreed to fund these fire safety enhancements. The cost of which is in the order of €10 million.

The works will include the installation of passive fire protection in the Jack Lynch Tunnel. This fire protection will take the form of high quality calcium silicate cement boards being attached to the walls and ceiling of the tunnel structure.

The works are being undertaken at night time, but to permit the Contractor to undertake the works in a safe and efficient manner tunnel closures will be necessary.

While the works were to commence in mid January, due to unexpected delays, they are now not due to begin until after Easter. The expected closure times are as follows:

• 21.30 hrs Saturday until 07.00 hrs Sunday
• 21.30 hrs Sunday until 07.00 hrs Monday
• 21.30 hrs Monday until 07.00 hrs Tuesday
• 21.30 hrs Tuesday until 07.00 hrs Wednesday
• 21.30 hrs Wednesday until 07.00 hrs Thursday
• 21.30 hrs Thursday until 07.00 hrs Friday
• Friday overnight OPEN

Cork City Council regrets any inconvenience that may occur. In between the overnight closures period, the N25 including the Tunnel and its approach roads will be open to traffic as normal.

**You can also sign up for email and sms alerts of planned maintenance of the tunnel by visiting: http://www.jacklynchtunnel.ie/

Cork City Council is responsible for the maintenance of roads within the Cork City area. Winter maintenance is a key component of this service and is vital to the local economy and road safety. It is carried out to assist the safe movement of road users which include buses, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians and to minimise delays caused by adverse weather conditions.

Cork City Council’s aim is to provide an effective and efficient winter maintenance service within the city boundaries with all its available resources. The three primary objectives of the winter maintenance plan are to:

•  enable the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians
• to minimise delays due to winter weather
• undertake winter maintenance operations in a safe fashion.

Cork City Council provides this service throughout the winter. This service includes salting (or gritting) of roads, snow ploughing and clearing footways. The logistics of the situation does not allow for the treatment of all public roads within city.

Winter Maintenance Plan

A Winter Maintenance Plan has been prepared for the salting of roads in the event of frost or snow. This Plan determines how Cork City Council will react to adverse weather events.

In general this Plan prioritises the routes that will be treated – National Primary, National Secondary, Regional and Bus Routes and particular areas of risk e.g. stagnant water, higher ground etc.

Footpaths and bridges are also salted especially in the City Centre focusing on areas of greatest pedestrian movement. The scope of winter maintenance operations can be summarised as follows:

• Precautionary gritting of roads in anticipation of freezing conditions to prevent the formation of ice.
• Continuous gritting of major roads in adverse conditions to enable continued safe usage
• Gritting of footways and footpaths.

All salting and gritting in Cork City is carried out by Road Maintenance personnel and rosters have been drawn up for personnel on call in the event of severe weather. The decision on whether or not to salt roads is taken by Roads Maintenance engineers based on information received from Met Ėireann, the NRA Road Weather Information System (Icecast) and also based on local knowledge of areas most susceptible to icing such as higher ground. This work is normally carried out between 8PM and 6.30 AM in the morning. Salt spread rates vary from 10 grams/m² for precautionary treatment to 40 grams/m² on snow. It should be noted that salt does not act immediately when it is spread on existing ice or snow. Therefore there is a need for precautionary salting. The ice or snow surrounding each salt granule has to be turned into a saline solution. The action of traffic is essential by moving the salt granules around and eventually melting all the ice or snow. On more lightly trafficked roads the surface will remain icy for some time after salting.

Winter Maintenance Resources

Personnel

Cork City Council operates an on-call system for Winter Maintenance. Two foremen, six drivers and six general operatives are on call to perform the winter maintenance operation. Additional resources will be called in as required. In an extreme or extended cold weather event assistance would be sought from the Parks and Amenity Directorate and from other Directorates.

Salt and grit is also spread manually from pickup trucks primarily on footpaths, bridges and areas adjacent to schools and hospitals, and other areas of high pedestrian usage.

Vehicles and Equipment for Winter Maintenance

Considerable investment has been made in 2010 and 2011 in upgrading the City Council’s winter maintenance equipment and all salt spreaders and snowploughs have now been replaced with modern equipment. Two new snow ploughs and an additional salter have been added to the fleet in the current year. A number of hand pushed salt dispersers suitable for the treatment of footpaths have also been acquired. The current equipment list is as follows:

2 no. 18 tonne GVW trucks

4 no. 3.5 tonne GVW pick-up trucks

1 no. 7 tonne GVW pick-up truck

2 no. demountable salt spreaders (6 m3)

1 no. demountable salt spreader (2 m3)

1 no. towed salt spreader (small)

1 no. tailgate mounted salt spreader (small)

6 no. pedestrian salt spreaders

2 no. detachable snow ploughs

2 no. foreman’s vans

1 no. J.C.B. (hired)

Additional vehicles are available from the Roads Maintenance division or other Directorates if required.

Material

The main City Council Salt Depot is located at Ringmahon Road, Mahon and it is currently fully stocked with 1,250 tonnes of salt and large stocks of grit. Salt levels are continuously monitored by the General Foremen (North & South) and salt orders are placed by Area Engineers Roads Maintenance (North & South) via the National Salt Management System website. Last year, usage of salt equated to 700 tonnes while usage during the last two severe winters was in the order of 1200 tonnes.

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

The Council already has a proud record of assisting communities during prolonged severe weather events. This response level, which includes significant engagement on the ground with other resources such as Community Gardaí, HSE, Army personnel will continue to be in place. Further advancement of our support to communities is being worked through the Cork Community Forum as outlined below. This will continue into the future.

Cork City Council will be providing salt to communities and Resident Associations during the coming winter period on a request basis. The community groups who request the salt will have to provide a secure location where the salt can be delivered and stored. The provision of the salt is primarily intended to empower local communities to help themselves during a cold spell. It is not intended for personal use as individuals would be expected to acquire their own salt supplies. Once distributed to a community group the salt will become the property of the same community group. It is intended to provide the salt in one tonne bags or in salt bins.

In the event of an extended severe cold weather event salt/grit will be made available in smaller quantities from City Council depots. This would be subject to the availability of this resource. Collection details will be published at the appropriate time.

In relation to contacts with local communities and voluntary groups the Director of Services, Community & Enterprise and Environment, and other staff to outline plans in relation to severe weather, attended a meeting of the Cork Community Forum on 5th October 2011 .

Community Wardens will liaise with local community and voluntary groups , staff from other Council departments including Housing Management staff , the Gardaí and HSE staff in supporting the elderly and other vulnerable groups in the event of severe weather .

The support offered will vary depending on need and may include house calls , assistance with shopping, clearing of house paths, ensuring appropriate agencies are aware of needs etc . Information on the ground from communities and Members of Council is important in trying to respond to specific issues that arise.

A 60km per hour speed limit is now in place throughout the works area. Motorists are asked to drive appropriately in view of the new speed limit taking account of the safety of other motorists, pedestrians and workers on the Scheme.

Works are currently focused on the area south of the N25 between Bandon Road Roundabout and Sarsfield Road Roundabout and also on the commencement of the two new bridge structures required at the Bandon Road Roundabout. Hard shoulder areas will be coned off over the coming weeks. However, no significant lane closures are proposed and the traffic flow will not be disrupted by the works over the coming period.

The site office at Pouladuff will be operational from week commencing Monday 15th August 2011 for the duration of the Scheme. The Scheme model which has been on display in County Hall over recent weeks will be available in the site office in Pouladuff from the middle of next week.  A freephone number (1800 932 046) has been set up for those with queries or concerns in relation to the project.

Regular progress updates will be issued throughout the construction phase highlighting any milestone events and also advising on any anticipated disruption to traffic.   These updates will be carried on the National Road Design Office website www.corkrdo.ie.

I particularly welcome the significant improvement of the cycle lanes on the Douglas Road and the Boreenmanna Road. Both of which are primary routes to the City Centre, which are extremely busy with traffic, both cars and lorries, at almost all times of the day and at the same time has increasing numbers of pedestrians and cyclists.

The lack of cycle lanes is an issue that has been raised with me repeatedly by people living within the City who wish to use more sustainable modes of transport, but felt they were not being facilitated. This investment shows that both Local and National Government are serious about urbanism and promoting healthier and more sustainable transport means.

It is a condition of the funding that these schemes are implemented in 2011, so people can expect that works will begin almost immediately.

The works form part of the  the Jobs Initiative framework, which will fund a number of traffic calming and other measures which will inter alia lead to a safer and more attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists in the regional cities. There are 34 projects in all and they include road improvement works, pedestrian crossings, and cycle routes.

The projects were chosen for funding as they were considered appropriate for the Jobs Initiative programme and were available for construction in 2011. The National Transport Authority (NTA) will be managing the delivery process and will make the necessary adjustments, including possible scheme substitutions, on an on-going basis to ensure their effective delivery. Attached is the full list of projects.

The Jack Lynch Tunnel opened to traffic in June 1999. Since then the safety requirements for tunnels in the European context have been reviewed and subsequently revised. The European Directive 2004/54/EC entitled Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network Regulations reflects these revised tunnel safety requirements. In-line with the requirements of the Directive, the Tunnel Safety Officer has completed an operational risk assessment on the Jack Lynch Tunnel and has recommended that additional fire protection measures to enhance Public Safety, Asset Protection and Route Protection be provided.

The National Roads Authority has agreed to fund these fire safety enhancements and Cork City Council proposes to let a contract in the near future to undertake these works. The current programme for procuring a Contractor estimates the work will commence in October/November 2011. The cost estimate is in the order of €10 million.

This contract envisages the installation of passive fire protection in the Jack Lynch Tunnel. It is envisaged that this fire protection will take the form of high quality calcium silicate cement boards being attached to the walls and ceiling of the tunnel structure. Figure 1 illustrates the type of fire protection board envisaged and its installation.

It is proposed to undertake the works at night. However to permit the Contractor to undertake the works in a safe and efficient manner tunnel closures will be necessary. It is envisaged that the contract duration will be in the range of 4 to 6 months.

It is envisaged that nightly tunnel possessions will be given to the Contractor commencing in early November 2011 and continuing on a continuous basis until March/April 2012 with some exceptions for the Christmas/New Year period. These nightly tunnel possessions would consist of a combination of full and partial night-time closures between the hours of 20:00 and 06:30 for six to seven days each week. The closures would be of a similar nature to the current planned maintenance closures.

It is recognised that closure of the Jack Lynch Tunnel, albeit at night, will cause inconvenience to the public. Cork City Council is currently consulting with emergency services and will consult with other interested third parties. The public will be informed with ample notice of details of proposed tunnel closures, traffic restrictions and other necessary traffic management plans when a Contractor is appointed.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. To rationalise the speed limits on the South Ring Road as a result of the construction of the Kinsale Road Interchange.
            2. To adjust the speed limits on three major approaches to the City; Lower Glanmire Road (N8), Commons Road (N20) and South City Link (N27) to reflect the quality and capacity of the roadways in question.
            3. Provide for a 30 kph zone In the City Centre.

Some legal changes had to be made to the draft bye-laws and they are now ready for the public consultation stage. Public consultation will mean advertising in the papers and meeting with City traders, etc.. A report on the public consultation will be submitted to Council in conjunction with a recommendation to approve or not approve the draft bye-laws.

You can click here to view the draft bye laws or call into City Hall, during office hours. If you have an observation to make, submit it to the Director of Roads and Transportation, City Hall Cork.

Following consultation between Cork City Council and the National Transport Authority, Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) indicating the expected arrival times for the next 3 buses arriving will be made available at over 500 bus stops in Dublin and Cork.

The scheme is being undertaken by both Dublin City and Cork City Councils, and the Department of Transport provided funding via the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the provision of RTPI displays and infrastructure.

The installation of RTPI will cater for some key bus routes in Metropolitan Cork as defined in the CASP Study. The estimated arrival times of buses, as calculated on the Bus Éireann fleet management system, will be communicated to the RTPI server based in Dublin City Council which will then broadcast the data to each specific bus stop in Cork.

The implementation of the RTPI scheme is being project managed by the NTA and €400,000 has been allocated to Cork. The RTPI displays which will be installed at bus stops and shelters in Cork and Dublin are being manufactured by one of the leading variable message sign suppliers based in Ennistymon, Co. Clare. The civil works to include provision of electrical supplies is in progress at 47 bus stop locations in Cork and final implementation of RTPI will require data transfers from the Bus Éireann fleet management system, as referred to above, and is scheduled for completion in early 2011.

At our City Council meeting this week, we received the following report from the City Manager on the Council’s response during the severe weather we experienced over the last number of weeks:

“A Ard-Méara agus Comhairleoirí,

At Council meeting on 20th December 2010, I updated Members on the City Council’s response to the ongoing severe weather at that time. That report focused primarily on the response to the isues that arose for traffic and mobility within the City. From that date to the 25th/26th December, the Council continued its high level response to gritting and salting, committing up to 17 crews to this task daily.

While there was a considerable easing of weather conditions from early morning on the 26th December 2010, the prolonged severe weather had a significant impact on water supplies across the City, a situation which was replicated across the country. In view of the disruption that this caused to the residents and businesses of the city, I wish to brief Council on the challenges faced and the management of the situation by the Council.

In briefing Members, it is important that the difficulties experienced by all water users are put in context. They arose from an unprecedented prolonged spell of severe weather conditions. The City Council, therefore had limited control in preventing the range of water disruptions experienced. It is also critically important to understand that the disruptions experienced were due to a multiplicity of factors impacting on individual households and businesses. The City Council’s responsibility in this regard is to ensure the continuous production of quality water and its distribution throughout the water network. Its remit does not extend to resolving matters within individual premises.

Since the severe weather commenced on the 27th November 2010, the Council’s Crisis Management Team has convened daily, including weekends, and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period, the one exception being Christmas Day. This approach and structure ensured that the Council’s response was co-ordinated across all Directorates of the Council and was focused on the priority issues to be managed. It also ensured integration with the other response agencies such as the HSE, An Garda Siochana, and the Defence Forces. As Chair of the Crisis Management Team and City Manager, I ensured that the Lord Mayor was briefed at all times on issues emerging and our response.

Water Services

Leak Detection and Repair pre-Christmas

The reduction in temperatures from the 26th December, 2010 resulted in the majority of water services difficulties emerging at that time. The Council’s Water Services Directorate, had however been responding to water mains challenges from the commencement of the severe weather period. From early December, Water Department crews worked to ensure that all leaks arising on the public mains were repaired in advance of the Christmas holidays. Over 53 leaks were repaired in the period 1st December to 25th December. In addition the Council increased the volume of treated water in storage to record levels, in advance of the Christmas period. This proactive management and actions helped reduce both the potential impact and the recovery period.

All staff within the Water Department were on duty/call over the holiday period and any necessary assistance supplied from other Council Departments. The Council also engaged the services of outside contractors where necessary, particularly for the detection of leaks and supply of equipment. Staff generally worked long hours throughout the month of December and the Christmas/New Year period.

Demand and Restrictions

Having taken the advance actions outlined above, the Council was able to maintain supplies in the water network throughout the holiday period. However, from the 26th December, these supplies were insufficient to match the demand arising (due to leaks on public and private networks), and this necessitated the introduction of supply restrictions. Demand increased by over 50% over normal levels. While restrictions initially applied in 16 of the Councils 50 district meter areas, the affected area had been reduced by half by Friday 31st December. With good progress being made in repairing leaks, by both the Council and members of the public, the affected area was again reduced on Tuesday 4th January and all restrictions lifted by Wednesday 5th January.

Night restrictions were imposed in areas with higher water losses and insufficient spare capacity to cover the abnormal demand arising. The City water supply comes from two primary sources, they being the Inniscarra and the Lee Road Water Treatment Plants. Additional supplies were available from the Inniscarra Water Supply Scheme to cover the excess demand in areas that it services, they being the Southeast and Southwest of the City. The areas served by the Lee Road Scheme, which is primarily the Northside of the City, are more vulnerable to restriction. While this plant operated at maximum production capacity for the period of the severe weather, it cannot meet a demand level which is running at in excess of 50% greater than normal due to loss of water through both the public mains and private installations. The Council also experienced difficulties in maintaining satisfactory pressures in parts of the City Centre for a short period.

Alternative Supplies

Standpipes were operated over the period 27th December to 2nd/3rd January as an additional service in the areas worst affected by restrictions. Standpipes were not erected in advance of this date due to the general availability of water in each district, and the high risk of accidents and injury associated with wet frozen surfaces that could emerge from standpipes A total of five standpipes were operated (usually from 10.00am to 8.00pm.) Demand for supplies from standpipes was generally much less than experienced in previous disruptions.

Contact was maintained between the HSE, Garda Siochana and City Council Housing Department so as to ensure contingency arrangements for vulnerable residents and for health facilities. We ensured a response to any critical cases through our Civil Defence Unit and Fire and Emergency Service along with the support of Community Gardai. Alternative water supplies were also brought as necessary to a number of hotels experiencing difficulties in this period, by our Fire and Emergency Service, to ensure that they could continue trading. Extra Fire Crews were mobilised to facilitate this activity.

Contingency arrangements were also put in place by our Fire and Emergency Service in order to ensure appropriate fire cover across the City throughout the period. Extra commercial tankers were acquired as necessary. This was particularly important for the fire at the former St. Annes Hospital site, Shanakiel on the 29th December 2010.

Leak Detection and Repair

The City Council dealt with a further circa 150 leaks between 24th and 31st December 2010. Approximately 30 of these were significant in scale. It will take a number of weeks for all leaks to be found and repaired. The level of extra demand arising from leaks on private property was very significant and the pace at which property owners repaired leaks was a very important factor in stabilising and reducing demand. Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 50% of the abnormal demand is associated with such leaks. Throughout the holiday period the Council contacted schools and major water users directly and via the media in relation to the need to check properties and repair leaks. The Council also assigned staff to checking meters for abnormal consumption in an effort to reduce demand quickly. Where necessary, supply was discontinued to vacant properties where the Council detected significant losses and property owners were notified

Street Cleaning and Refuse Services -

Due to the severe weather some difficulties arose with access to estates for the collection of refuse. Residual waste was removed quickly whenever possible. This was a significant challenge as it coincided with both the reorganisation of collection routes and what is traditionally the busiest period for the service. In addition, extra staff were assigned to collect bags of dry recyclable material so as to limit the potential for antisocial behaviour.

Street cleaning services were maintained throughout the severe weather and the heavily trafficked City Centre area in particular presented in the best possible light.

Housing Services

The normal provision of two plumbers on call was doubled over the Christmas holiday period in anticipation of cold weather and subsequent thaw emergencies that would arise. However, in view of the large numbers of emergency situations that arose in our own housing stock, all available plumbers, other staff, and external contractors were deployed as required.

During Christmas week and up to Wednesday, 29th December, approximately 600 emergency housing maintenance calls were received and responded to. These consisted of essentially frozen or burst pipes and heating problems. In a normal wintertime week, there would be approximately 30 such calls. Resources were extremely stretched during this period, with staff working long hours in difficult conditions over the holiday period.

Approximately 30 Cork City Council tenants had to temporarily vacate their properties as a result of severe weather related damage. Alternative accommodation, by way of vacant properties or guesthouses, was provided for those tenants who could not satisfactorily stay with relatives. Repairs to all such temporarily vacated properties is being prioritised and is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. There may be 4 to 5 properties where repairs may take longer and these tenants have already or will be provided with alternative accommodation by way of temporary convenience lettings as required.

Work is also continuing to carry out repairs to all properties where damage has occurred, again with priority being given to the more badly damaged housing stock. Of necessity the repair work to less badly damaged properties will take some time to be fully attended to, but all housing maintenance resources are being so deployed.

Communications

The primary objective of communications during this period was to ensure that the general public was:

• informed with accurate data on any public water supply network restrictions that would need to be put in place
• informed with regard to alternative public water supply distribution points being put in place
• informed to the extent that the lack of a water supply within a property was not necessarily due to a public water supply difficulty, in view of the multiplicity of matters that could affect private plumbing installations in a severe weather situation
• informed with regard to the need to assess their own private plumbing installations
• In order to meet this, the following communication channels were used:
• At a national level, there was a clear and unambiguous message delivered throughout the period of water supply difficulties on the need for householders and businesses to check their own property for leaks. This was the primary message that the Local Government Sector in conjunction with the DOEHLG wished to relay. This was carried on national media daily, with a commentary on the general position in local authority areas.
• At a local level, this Council issued 12 Press Releases between 22nd December 2010 and 5th January 2011. Press Releases issued daily with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Years Day and January 2nd. Press Releases issued twice daily at the height of the crisis on the 27th and 28th December.
• Press Releases issue to a media listing of over 100 people who cover the main media outlets – print, TV and radio, both local and national. Members of Council and Cork TDs and Senators also receive press releases.
• Information contained in the press releases was placed simultaneously on the City Council Website (News Section on the Home Page). This was also done in a timely manner to ensure that affected areas would have adequate notice of impending restrictions. The website also contained a detailed map of the areas to be affected by restrictions.
• All press releases issued contained accurate information with regard to the supply restrictions and alternative supply distribution points. They were carried in local print and media outlets. On radio, 96fm was of particular assistance in that it carried up to date information throughout each day. The press releases and website updates met all the primary communications objectives.
• In addition to Press Releases and web updates, telephone calls were made and received by staff in the Corporate Affairs Section to and from members of Council, and the media. Also, staff of the Water Services Directorate and, in particular, Housing, Roads, and Emergency Services Directorates all responded to any queries emerging.
• TV interviews were also held on the 22nd December and 29th December, 2010 with TG4 and RTE.
• The Council’s Emergency Number was used as the primary point of contact for general public queries. This was operated by the Council’s Fire and Emergency Service on a 24 hour basis throughout the Christmas period. Additional crew members were drafted in to supervise and co-ordinate the calls, referring them to our Out-of- hours Services Co-ordinator system as required. Staff from the Water Services Directorate also assisted with information updates and the handling of calls.

Activity levels

Activity levels across our telephone and website communication channels was as follows:

Telephone

• In excess of 900 calls were received per day in the peak times of the water restrictions. The nature of the calls were that they were repetitive and raised multiple issues. Of significance was that a high proportion of them related to individual supply problems within properties, which were not within the control or remit of the City Council to resolve. In that regard, it is extremely difficult for any emergency line/information service to provide assurance and satisfaction to a caller with regard to resolution of their particular difficulty. Of interest also is that calls were being received with regard to water services in the adjoining county areas.
• The inevitable resultant outcome from providing such a service to the public, regardless of the level of resources that would be committed to it, is that callers in many instances perceive the response of the City Council to be inadequate. The fact is, that in view of the multiplicity of variants as to why ones water supply is disrupted, it was not possible in a high proportion of cases to give certainty on the resolution of their specific query. However, the Council was able to give certainty with regard to its proposed public supply restrictions and, was able to respond to many public network leaks through its co-ordination system once highlighted by a caller.
• There has been some criticism that the emergency number could not be accessed by some callers. While this may be that case, I would reiterate that the primary objective of communications for the period of this event, are as outlined earlier. The Council achieved this and, the existence of a 24hour emergency service number, supported by a similar services co-ordination system to manage service requests which could be dealt with by the Council, is a significant asset to city dwellers.

Website

The following table presents an analysis of activity on the Council’s Website for the period Thursday 23rd December 2010 to Monday 3rd January 2011.

Date Page Views User Sessions

The Page View data represents how many times any page on the site is accessed, while User Sessions represents an individual user session within a 30 minute period. A User revisiting at a later period during the day would count as a second user.

Further analysis of activity shows that the majority of Users accessed pages on the site which contained our daily press releases/news items.

Of interest also, is that the activity levels on the 3 days 27th-29th December were 3 of the top five busiest days of website activity in 2010.

This clearly shows that the website is a significant tool in our communications strategy. In that regard, the daily updates on water restrictions, standpipe locations, and advice to property owners were of significant benefit.

Conclusion

In any event of this nature, it is inevitable that expectation levels in terms of the City Council’s response will vary across individuals. The above report sets out the range of matters that required an exceptional level of response from City Council staff. The response was planned and prepared for, and was managed and delivered in a manner which was also able to respond swiftly to emerging daily issues. It is important not to forget the fact that it was also delivered over a seasonal holiday period and, in sometimes appalling weather conditions.

In assessing the adequacy of the Council’s response, both from a service delivery and a communications viewpoint, it is important to remember that the responsibility of the City Council is first and foremost to ensure that its resources are prioritised to respond on the ground to service disruptions. The primary focus and responsibility of the City Council in dealing with this period of water disruptions was to:

• first and foremost to ensure that its resources are prioritised to respond on the ground to the emerging situation.
• maximise a continued supply of water to the city in the context of the constraints faced, and if necessary, prioritise supply to critical service areas
• ensure that the Council responds to emergency housing matters across its 8,600 tenanted housing stock
• ensure that there continued to be an adequate level of Firefighting capacity across the city and
• respond, in so far as possible, to specific emergency cases that might arise.
• ensure that the primary objectives of communications, as outlined earlier, are met.

I am satisfied that the Council dealt successfully with each of the above.

As with any event of this nature, I will in due course, in conjunction with the members of our Crisis Management Team, be examining the actions taken so as to copperfasten the Council’s response regime for future events. I am however satisfied that, in the context of the challenges faced, the Council met its primary objectives.

It remains for me to offer my sincere thanks to all staff of the organisation who responded to the events of the past 6 weeks in the interests of serving the citizens of this city. This is a time when public servants have shown their true commitment to serving this city and in many cases beyond the call of duty. The ongoing level of commitment of staff to this type of work, in very difficult conditions, is to be commended.

I also wish to thank the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Michael O’Connell and the Members of Council for their support during this period.

TIM LUCEY,

CITY MANAGER.

10th January, 2011.

Since the severe weather commenced the Councils Crisis Management Team has met daily, including the weekend by means of conference calls to manage the Councils response. This will continue and if required, over the Christmas and New Year period.

Over the past weekend  Cork City was one of the worst affected areas in the country. In response to this the following action was taken over the weekend:

• The nightly salting/gritting of the prioritised routes continued through the use of our two salting crews. (click here for routes) This was supplemented by crews deployed for gritting purposes. This ensured that the main vehicular routes and bus corridors were salted/gritted. Despite this, there were some difficulties on higher ground due to the level of snowfall and temperatures, however, the city centre bus routes and the Park and Ride facilities were operational, while Bus Eireann serviced all lower parts of the city in so far as was possible and safe.
• On Saturday, the day gritting crews were supplemented from within out own Roads and Parks staff for the purpose of gritting of footpaths and estate roads, where possible.
• Our Civil Defence Unit was put at the disposal of the HSE to assit with medical personnel visit requirements, Three unite were deployed. This will continued as required.
• One of our Civil Defence Units was also deployed to assist with the delivery of Meals and Wheels on the Northside of the City. This will also continued as required
• On Saturday the Army was contacted for assistance with the gritting and clearing of footpaths. A platoon of men was put at the Council’s disposal on Sunday morning and worked alongside the council workforce in undertaking this work
• As of today, the Council has 14 gritting crews out on a daily basis. This will continue for the remainder of this week as the severe weather continues
• Elderly complexes are being gritted on a need basis and contact with elderly tenants of the Council will be maintained to ensure that their needs are met
• Homeless arrangements are also made for Christmas through the Cork Homeless Forum. To date no issue has arisen
• The Councils emergency response telephone number dealt with all calls on a prioritised basis and to date all calls have been responded to. This service will continue

For the remainder of this week the Council has an adequate supply of salt to facilitate salting/gritting of its priortised routes up to at least Christmas day. You will be aware that the supply of salt to the Local Government Sector is being managed by the National Roads Authority. Additional stocks are being prioritised for delivery by the NRA to the areas deemed to be most in need. A further delivery of 30 tonnes was planned for today, however there is as yet no certainty as to the deliveries nearer the end of the week.

In continuing with its prioritised salting/gritting programme, the Council will need to take cognisance of future salt supplies from the NRA. In this regard, should there be any difficulty with securing adequate supplies from the NRA, the prioritised route network would need to be rearranged to ensure that those areas covered would receive the appropriate level of salt treatment. The Councils website (www.corkcity.ie) currently has a listing of the current prioritised routes and should this need to be revisited then it will be updated for the information of the public.