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.