Drivers warned as grit supplies dwindle
Road chiefs tonight refused to give a green light to people driving home for Christmas as the big freeze was poised to strike again.
Temperatures are expected to plunge as low as -10C in the coming days with more snow threatening further transport chaos across the country.
Sean O'Neill, of the National Roads Authority (NRA), urged people not to panic but cautioned road grit was being rationed and public transport may be the only option for people travelling home for the holidays.
"We'll keep the national routes open and running, but if you have to go off to a local road for an extensive period of time then you really need to talk to local authorities to see how that road is," he said.
Met Éireann has issued a severe weather warning that cold and wintry conditions will sweep across the country in the days ahead and right through next week.
Forecaster Joan Blackburn said snow will return first to Ulster, Connacht and west Munster - with the north and west to be worst hit in the run up to the weekend - before shifting to the east and south from Sunday.
As much as 10cm of snowfall is expected in areas with more likely over higher ground.
The mercury will drop to between -5C and -10C at night with widespread frost, ice and freezing fog making conditions hazardous for motorists.
Mr O'Neill, of the NRA, said drivers needing to use minor roads next week were at the mercy of the weather as plunging salt levels meant grit was being strictly managed.
"We are in a historical, unprecedented weather demand and obviously that means salt gets used up," he said.
The early cold snap has already eaten up 75,000 tonnes of supplies at an estimated cost of around €10m, with just 15,000 tonnes left.
Normally, road authorities use 60,000 tonnes during an entire year.
A delayed shipment of 20,000 tonnes has left Cairo port in Egypt and is expected in Cork next week, with a second 5,000 tonne shipment from Morocco due in Ireland days later.
But Mr O'Neill insisted people should not get hysterical about the return of the freezing conditions.
"Obviously, considering what's going on nationally in the country, we are not happy about things right now and that's understandable - this is another complication, another pain," he said.
"Seriously though, it's Christmas: go shopping, go visit your family, take public transport if you have to and take your time.
"Let's not overdo this. I think there was a little bit of fervour out there (in recent weeks) that this was Armageddon - there's no need for that."
Dublin City Council said it had not replenished its water supplies to the levels expected as householders ignored advice not to run taps to avoid pipes freezing over.
Restrictions will continue but city engineer Michael Phillips said they may be relaxed this weekend because the overnight supply cut-off was hurting the restaurant trade.
"We will carry out a review of the situation with the prospect of delaying the shut down until about 10pm for Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week on the basis it will help them," he said.
"It would appear they had difficulties with their storage and other issues in the restaurant."
