Department for Infrastructure Update on Storm Éowyn
Date published:
With weather warnings still in place for Storm Éowyn, a significant number of roads are blocked with fallen trees, branches and debris.
Since midnight last night more than, 1827 obstructions on the road network have been reported to the department and these include 873 on our motorways and class A, B and Cc roads.
Given the extent of disruption across the road network it will take time to clear and get all roads open as normal again. Staff are on standby to respond to incidents, but our response time is being affected by the adverse conditions and incidents will have to prioritised accordingly. The safety of members of the public and our own staff is paramount.
Road users should pay heed to ‘road closed’ signs as these warnings are intended to keep the travelling public safe.
A yellow weather warning is also in place for snow and ice between 7pm tonight and 10am tomorrow morning and the ongoing storm clear up may disrupt the Department’s delivery of the winter service. While efforts will be made to salt the main strategic road network our ability to do so may be impeded by blocked roads and difficult conditions so please continue to consider if your journey is necessary and if you must travel please exercise extreme caution, stay on the main strategic network where possible and be mindful of changing conditions as roads which are normally gritted might not be. Updates will be provided once the situation has been assessed further.
NIE Networks is reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment and report it immediately to the Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. Members of the public should never approach a broken pole or electricity line.
Should customers experience a power cut they can report the fault and check for updates at Powercheck NI (powercheck.nienetworks.co.uk)
Notes to editors:
- Details of road closures are available on the Traffic Watch NI website: https://www.trafficwatchni.com/twni/
- Report obstructions on the road here report an obstruction at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/report-obstruction-road-or-street Or call the 24-hour number on 0300 200 7899.
- To report incidents of flooding, please contact the flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100. Calls taken by the incident line staff are passed to the relevant responding Agency.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn.