Black ice hits roads

There were major delays on the M2 motorway

Northern Ireland motorists are facing further difficulties with black ice causing problems in some areas.

However, the Roads Service has said all main roads are open, but advised drivers to be careful as the snow thaws.

Northern Ireland has been severely affected by poor weather in recent days.

It is certainly not as bad as we saw in Mid Ulster the night before when about 6ins fell

David Orr
Roads Service

The conditions affected rail, road and air services and forced the closure of many schools on Tuesday.

The Roads Service's director of network services, David Orr, said gritters had been out overnight.

"There has been some snow last night in the Cookstown, Ballymena, Antrim, Glengormley and Lisburn areas," he said.

"But it is certainly not as bad as we saw in Mid Ulster the night before when about 6ins fell.

An accident meant severe tailbacks into Belfast

"However, the temperature has been lower and it has been down to minus four overnight.

"Our gritters were out last night salting all of the main routes and they have been out again this (Wednesday) morning. They are all completed and all main routes are open."

Sheets of ice

He said driving conditions on higher ground remained difficult.

There was a report of an accident near Sandyknowes on the M2.

The police had warned of treacherous conditions on the motorway as the surface had frozen solid, forming sheets of ice.

We do have to take account of the weather and in some situations, once or twice a winter, we do get snow and that does cause disruption

David Orr

There were reports of icy conditions on the A8 between Larne and Corr's Corner in County Antrim.

Mr Orr added: "We also have reports of long delays on the Saintfield Road following an accident around Ivanhoe Park.

"When the network is affected by snow - even though it has been salted - there is still slush and the possibility of ice and motorists should travel more slowly.

"When you are dealing with a network which is approaching capacity - and indeed over-capacity in many cases during the rush-hour - then that does cause further delay."

He said it was not reasonable to expect that when there was winter weather, the roads would be the same as on a summer's morning.

"We do have to take account of the weather and in some situations, once or twice a winter, we do get snow and that does cause disruption."

Adverse conditions

The thaw has meant that some schools which were closed due to the heavy snow can now reopen.

There will be classes at Keady Primary School and Newtownhamilton Primary and High Schools, and Holy Trinity in Cookstown.

Rosstulla Special School in Jordanstown will also open, but there may be no transport to the school.

However, some schools will remain closed due to the adverse conditions.

They include St Joseph's primary in Carryduff; Dean Maguirc High School in Carrickmore; St Mary's primary in Pomeroy; Oakgrove Integrated College in Londonderry; St Columbcilles in Carrickmore, St Patrick's in Burrenreagh and Loughbrickland primary.

The Met Office has forecast that Wednesday will be a mostly dry day with sunny spells.