Weather playing havoc with Christmas travel
SNOW, black ice and freezing fog have caused Christmas travel chaos for motorists in parts of Ulster.
While gritting lorries have been out in force over the past few days, motorists have been warned to drive with extreme caution, particularly in the North West of the Province which has been badly affected.
In bad news for 2,000 ticket holders, the Here Come the Girls concert at Belfast's Waterfront Hall due to take place last night was cancelled after its stars, singers Lulu, Chaka Khan and Anastacia were stranded at Manchester airport.
Easyjet cancelled a number of flights yesterday between Belfast International Airport and Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool and London Gatwick because of the adverse weather conditions.
Airport managing director John Doran said weather conditions should not cause difficulties but cancelled in-bound flights would have knock-on effects during the day.
The runway at City of Derry airport was closed for a time because of snow and ice, and the flight to Dublin was cancelled.
Denis Wilson from Roads Service said yesterday morning that the roads were particularly treacherous in and around Londonderry.
"We've got snow on the roads, we've got black ice, and things are really very bad at the moment," he said.
"We're trying to salt 4,300 miles of road in Northern Ireland, and that's a considerable undertaking."
Several schools in the North West were also closed as pupils were unable to get to class.
Light snow showers are expected to continue today, with temperatures plunging to minus five. While the rest of the week will still be very cold, it is thought weather might be slightly sunnier and warmer.
In the wake of the bad weather, East Londonderry SDLP MLA John Dallat called for better co-operation between local councils and the Department of Regional Development on the issue of gritting footpaths.
He said: "It is unacceptable that many people, particularly older people, have broken bones every year as a direct result of slippery footpaths when there is a simple solution available which involves nothing more than two departments talking to each other in the interests of the people they both serve."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
