Pulling out the stops to cope

Speaking after his meeting with both the Roads Service and Northern Ireland Water (NIW), Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, said, “The recent period has witnessed the coldest prolongued spell for almost 30 years and is continuing to break records. Daytime temperatures are struggling to get above freezing and temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees celsius have been experienced.”

"I would like to personally pay tribute to the teams workers on the ground, who have been working around the clock to keep the main road networks open and replinishing salt piles and grit boxes for those areas not on the salted network”

"It is the Roads Service’s policy to grit roads carrying more than 1,000 vehicles a day but a 40-seater bus is counted as 40 vehicles.

Acting Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Mrs Mairead McAlinden said, “This icy weather brings with it increased injuries from slips and falls and the cold aggravates respitoratory conditions. We are seeing increased levels of activity across all of our services.

"Staff are doing everything they can to ensure that all patients are treated as quickly and safely as possible but we appeal to everyone to help us to help those who really need us.

"Hospital Emergency departments are there for people who are seriously ill or injured. Remember there are other services that can help you.”