Northern Ireland is bracing for snow and ice this week, with the Met Office forecasting wintry conditions and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) preparing a full winter service program to maintain road safety.
The DfI has allocated £7.3 million in funding for the upcoming winter season, ensuring resources are available to address potential disruption caused by snow and icy conditions.With temperatures expected to fall, DfI staff are being deployed as needed, and approximately 70,000 tonnes of salt are currently in stock. In addition,the public has access to around 5,850 salt bins and 52,300 grit piles for self-help on designated routes not covered by the official salting schedule.
“This year I have allocated funding of £7.3 million to ensure that my Department can deliver a full winter service program to help keep our roads safe during snow and icy conditions,” a DfI spokesperson stated. “With temperatures set to dip this week and some disruption on our roads possible, staff are now being deployed as necessary.”
The DfI’s winter service prioritizes the maintainance of the main road network,ensuring essential travel and freight routes remain open. motorists are advised to exercise caution, allow extra time for journeys, and be prepared for potential delays. The public can find up-to-date facts on road conditions and traffic alerts on the DfI website.
