THE NORTH:THE COST of trying to maintain Northern Ireland's road network over the current freezing spell is likely to be more than twice the normal Christmas roads bill, according to the North's Department of Regional Development.
As ice and freezing fog continue to cause major disruption throughout Northern Ireland, a department spokeswoman confirmed that costs this year could be more than £10 million (€11.7 million) – more than twice the £5 million it costs over normal Christmas periods.
Last year the Christmas departmental roads bill was £10 million and with conditions even more extreme this year, it is expected that costs will be higher. “While it is too soon yet to estimate the full cost of this year’s winter service, early indications would suggest the final cost is likely to be significantly more than last year,” said a departmental spokeswoman.
The Christmas school holidays are easing some of the roads pressure yesterday but driving conditions are still very difficult because of the ice and compacted snow, with several minor crashes occurring throughout the North.
Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove and George Best Belfast City Airport were busier yesterday with more people returning home because of the easing of pressure at Heathrow, although there were still delays.
Sinn Féin Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy has rejected criticism from Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott.
Mr Elliott said the Minister’s position was becoming “untenable in the absence of an effective co-ordinated action plan to alleviate the worst effects of the snow and ice, in spite of warnings that such a plan was necessary after last year’s cold snap”.
He said there was a lack of co-ordination which was having a “hugely negative impact on the Northern Ireland retail sector and many other local businesses”, as well as affecting farmers, elderly people and their carers.
Mr Murphy said during record-breaking sub-zero temperatures and the worst snowfall in 25 years, the roads service successfully kept the main network open. He had also amended the winter gritting policy to ensure more rural school routes were salted.
