Local roads may not be salted as big chill returns

REGIONAL and local roads may not be salted when a second big freeze begins to tighten its grip on the country tonight.

The National Roads Authority said while there was enough salt supplies to ensure the main roads are treated, further shipments of salt had been delayed because of bad weather in the Mediterranean.

Met Éireann has issued a severe weather alert forecasting snow for most areas of the country over the next five days but initial indications are it will not be as severe as the last cold snap.

The NRA is urging local authorities to continue to prudently manage supplies and to give priority to the national road network.

At yesterday’s press briefing in the Department of Transport, the NRA’s Sean O’Neill warned regional and local roads may not be treated until additional salt arrived towards the middle or end of next week.

“The authority will continue to liaise with Met Éireann on the emerging weather situation and will work with local authorities to keep the road network and the national roads in particular open to the maximum extent possible.”

The NRA stated that 75,000 tonnes of salt had already been used this winter and around 15,000 tonnes was available. This time last year there was only 5,000 tonnes in the country.

The authority expects to have an additional 26,000 tonnes of salt by Christmas. Mr O’Neill said that by the end of January, stocks would be increased to between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes.

Met Éireann forecaster Joan Blackburn said bitterly cold weather was expected from today onwards when strong Arctic winds came back over Ireland, bringing snowfall to many areas.

Initially, the snow showers would fall mostly in the north and west but were expected to push down over southern and eastern areas as the weekend progressed.

Night-time temperatures will be exceptionally low for mid-December, with overnight frost and ice persisting by day in many areas as well as random snowfall. Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the region of -3C to -10C, coldest where snow is lying.

Dublin City Council transport manager Michael Philips urged people to only travel if they had to during the cold weather; to use public transport and to ensure that footpaths outside their homes or business were kept clear of snow.

Mr Philips said water restrictions in the Dublin region would continue because the anticipated savings had not been made. However, the council was considering delaying the night-time shut down of supplies to 10pm tonight and throughout the weekend.