24/11/2005
Roads service on alert for predicted snowfall
Roads Service has appealed to drivers to exercise extra vigilance with snow and blizzards predicted for Northern Ireland on Thursday and Friday.
The Met Office said Northern Ireland can expect very strong northerly winds and showers, which will fall widely as snow over high ground. Winds are also expected to reach severe gale force and local blizzard conditions will give significant accumulations of drifting snow.
David Orr, Director of Network Services, said: "Heavy and prolonged snowfall presents us all with perhaps the most difficult conditions that we can face and undoubtedly there is the high risk of disruption on our roads.
"Whilst we in Roads Service will make every effort to keep this disruption to a minimum the fact remains this is a battle against nature and when you're dealing with deep snow, there is no magic wand!"
The Roads Service said arrangements are currently in place to enlist the help of contractors (including farmers) to clear blocked roads.
On top of this, it plans to use its 13 snow blowers, the latest of which can shift 1,600 tons of snow an hour, if the snow is as heavy as predicted.
(MB/SP)
The Met Office said Northern Ireland can expect very strong northerly winds and showers, which will fall widely as snow over high ground. Winds are also expected to reach severe gale force and local blizzard conditions will give significant accumulations of drifting snow.
David Orr, Director of Network Services, said: "Heavy and prolonged snowfall presents us all with perhaps the most difficult conditions that we can face and undoubtedly there is the high risk of disruption on our roads.
"Whilst we in Roads Service will make every effort to keep this disruption to a minimum the fact remains this is a battle against nature and when you're dealing with deep snow, there is no magic wand!"
The Roads Service said arrangements are currently in place to enlist the help of contractors (including farmers) to clear blocked roads.
On top of this, it plans to use its 13 snow blowers, the latest of which can shift 1,600 tons of snow an hour, if the snow is as heavy as predicted.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 January 2004
Roads Service prepared to deal with snowfalls
Prepared to deal with heavy snowfalls, the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland have been on special alert since Sunday, following an advanced warning of possible snow from the Meteorological Office.
Roads Service prepared to deal with snowfalls
Prepared to deal with heavy snowfalls, the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland have been on special alert since Sunday, following an advanced warning of possible snow from the Meteorological Office.
16 December 2010
Winter Wonderland To Return
As national weather forecasters said that the North and West of the UK would be worst hit by another spell of freezing temperatures - snow showers are expected to return to NI later today. With several centimetres of snow predicted to fall in some places, forecasters said the renewed Arctic blast could last into the middle of next week.
Winter Wonderland To Return
As national weather forecasters said that the North and West of the UK would be worst hit by another spell of freezing temperatures - snow showers are expected to return to NI later today. With several centimetres of snow predicted to fall in some places, forecasters said the renewed Arctic blast could last into the middle of next week.
09 May 2006
Roads Service to spend £6M on improvements
The Roads Service is to invest £4 million into the Armagh district and £2 million in the Newtownabbey area over the next twelve months, it has been revealed today.
Roads Service to spend £6M on improvements
The Roads Service is to invest £4 million into the Armagh district and £2 million in the Newtownabbey area over the next twelve months, it has been revealed today.
02 December 2003
Local roads get record £80m spend
A record £80 million will be spent on structural roads maintenance this year across Northern Ireland. The figure was revealed by Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Newtownabbey Borough Council. Mr McCourt said: "This is a huge increase in investment over previous years.
Local roads get record £80m spend
A record £80 million will be spent on structural roads maintenance this year across Northern Ireland. The figure was revealed by Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Newtownabbey Borough Council. Mr McCourt said: "This is a huge increase in investment over previous years.
31 March 2010
Snowfalls Disrupt NI
Snowy conditions in some areas of Northern Ireland has led to a number of school closures while some 300 people had to be rescued from vehicles after they became stuck in snow near Londonderry, police have said. Almost 50,000 homes, businesses and schools are without power as a result of damage caused to power lines by snow and high winds.
Snowfalls Disrupt NI
Snowy conditions in some areas of Northern Ireland has led to a number of school closures while some 300 people had to be rescued from vehicles after they became stuck in snow near Londonderry, police have said. Almost 50,000 homes, businesses and schools are without power as a result of damage caused to power lines by snow and high winds.