Treacherous conditions as winter continues to tighten grip on Lisburn

THE wintry weather that has been sweeping the country has led to treacherous conditions for drivers and pedestrians across Lisburn, with many local residents expressing concern about the lack of gritting on some roads and footpaths in the city.

On Tuesday driving conditions were particularly severe, with slow moving traffic and long tailbacks, particularly in the Moira and Glenavy area. Some people reported journeys that would normally take 30 minutes were lasting over two hours.

Schools in the city were also affected, with Lisnagarvey High School being forced to stay closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after a pipe burst.

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Pond Park Primary School was also closed at the end of the week.

The Lagan Valley Hospital reported an increase in people attending the hospital as a result of injuries caused by falling. A spokesperson for the hospital estimated an increase of approximately eight people per day presented at the hospital with fractures and other injuries caused by slipping on ice.

Environment Minister and Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots is advising people who have problems getting in and out of roads which are not salted that salt is available at the main depot for use on public roads.

"Currently Roads Service are working round the clock and our office has dealt with many requests for assistance," said Mr Poots. "There are many people, particularly within the farming community who have problems getting lorries taking milk from the farms and bringing meal to them. In those instances quite a number of people have collected salt directly from the main depot to spread on the road.

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"With the cold weather predicted to go on for some time we will continue to assist in having the Roads Service address those in critical need. However it will be impossible for them to respond to every circumstance and therefore where possible, if individuals can help in their own localities, that would be to everyones benefit."

Mr Poots also encouraged people to local after elderly neighbours during the cold weather. "People with mobility impairment will find it extremely difficult to get around and if others can get essential goods and help them out at this time it would be greatly appreciated," he added.

This week Lisburn City Council called for a meeting with Roads Service and Lisburn City Centre Management to discuss the issue of gritting the city's roads and paths, with the main shopping thoroughfare, Bow Street, being of particular concern.

The conditions in Bow Street were made worse after a snow fall froze overnight.

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One elderly resident who was shopping in Lisburn this week said the conditions of the pavements are 'ridiculous'.

He commented: "The foot paths should be gritted too to make it safer for people to walk along.

"People are having to walk on the roads and it really isn't safe. Something needs to be done, especially in the pedestrian area in Bow Street."

At a meeting of Lisburn City Council's Planning Committee, Alderman Paul Porter said he and other councillors had been inundated with calls from residents regarding the slippery conditions in and around the city. "We should request a meeting with Roads Service and Lisburn City Centre Management to discuss the gritting of Bow Street," he said.

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Supporting Mr Porter's proposal, Alderman Jeffrey Donaldson suggested the discussions be widened to encompass gritting of roads throughout Lisburn, as well as the location of grit boxes.

"There seems to be some confusion and people seem to believe the council have responsibility for gritting but clearly that isn't the case," said Mr Donaldson. "We also need to discuss the provision of grit boxes as in some cases residents have to walk to the bottom of a hill to the grit boxes, when commonsense would say grit boxes should be at the top of the hill."

The council agreed to contact both Roads Service and City Centre Management to arrange a meeting.