Public urged to make only ‘essential journeys’ as strike halts gritting services amidst weather warnings

People in Northern Ireland have been urged to make only “absolutely essential journeys” on Thursday as a major public workers’ strike coincides with freezing temperatures.

Road users in Armagh are advised to exercise extreme caution on the Claddymilltown road from Newtownstewart to Markethill due ice and snow on the roads.

The gritting of roads is among the services that will be severely impacted as an estimated 150,000 public sector workers take part in walkouts over pay.

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice on Thursday, and the temperature has been forecast to be between -1 to 2 degrees across the day.

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The Department for Infrastructure has urged the public to make “only absolutely essential journeys on Thursday”.

It said: “The road network will be hazardous for travel due to widespread icy conditions and will not have been gritted apart from some limited gritting on the M1 and M2 motorways, the A1 and the A4,” they said in a statement.

“However, road users are reminded that roads leading to the limited salted part of the network will not be treated so extreme caution will be required for anyone travelling tomorrow on any part of the road network.

“It is the responsibility of every driver to adjust their driving to the road conditions. Anyone who must travel on the road should take great care, reduce their speed and remain alert to other road users at all times.

National Trust properties and grounds will be closed on Thursday as the roads are expected to be icy and the government have issued non-essential travel advice.

The Argory, Springhill and Ardress houses in Mid Ulster and Castle Ward in Co Down are closed.

The Strangford Lough Ferry Service will not be available while other essential services including repairs of serious defects and response to incidents and obstructions, such as flooding and drainage issues, will be significantly reduced.

Met Eíreann’s report for Ulster said that Thursday will continue very cold with frost, ice and fog clearing slowly, even lingering in a few spots for the day.

Scattered wintry showers in the northwest will extend down over Ulster later with highest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees and light northwest breezes.