Biggest snowfall in living memory brings North to a standstill
The North's main airport, Belfast International, as well as George Best City and City of Derry Airport are at a standstill after the biggest snowfall in living memory has caused chaos.
Students attending universities in the UK hoping to get home early for the Christmas and New Year break were among passengers held up.
Up to 700 schools were forced to shut and on what was supposed to be the busiest day of the year for hotels, bars and restaurants, office and works parties had to be cancelled.
All outdoor sports events, including horse racing at Downpatrick were called off. Weekend soccer, rugby, hockey and gaelic games were postponed. All visits to Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim were suspended.
Motorways and most main roads stayed open, but motoring organisations said traffic conditions were the worst in years, especially in rural areas where minor roads had to be left ungritted. Motorists were warned to venture out only if absolutely necessary. L-drivers had to re-arrange driving tests.
The North West was among the hardest hit areas – the mountainous Derry-Coleraine road was closed – and with overnight temperatures expected to drop to as low as minus 10C, the Met Office issued heavy snow warnings in Co Derry, Co Antrim and Co Down.
The Department of Environment said all staff as well as their gritters and snowblowers were working round the clock and that three or four times the normal salt supplies were needed to treat the roads.
Bus and rail services were also badly disrupted.
Irish Ferries has reported a surge in bookings today on their Dublin/Holyhead and Rosslare/Pembroke routes resulting from the restrictions on air travel.
The company said there is space available.
