ALERT: Council crews to be deployed as snow/ice warning is issued for Waterford
Local authority, which was briefed by Met Éireann on Friday, says the very cold spell across the country will lead to very disruptive weather over the weekend
Road users in Waterford are being warned of likely disruption this weekend with Met Éireann forecasting snow and freezing conditions across the country.
Several warnings have been issued, including a status yellow snow/ice warning for Waterford which will be valid from 5pm this Saturday until 5pm on Sunday.
Waterford City and County Council, which was briefed by Met Éireann on Friday, says the very cold spell across the country will lead to very disruptive weather over the weekend, with an area of low pressure sending up some heavy rain, sleet and snow.
This cold spell is expected to extend into at least the middle of next week with lying snow, some wintry showers and widespread severe frost and ice and some freezing fog also.
The local authority says its teams are preparing to deal with any impacts of the bad weather and that ground crews will be deployed to treat all Priority One and Priority Two roads.
Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council said: “Waterford City and County Council ground crews are attending to the Priority One and Two road network, and gritting will continue on these Priority One and Two roads for the duration of the cold weather advisory warning. The crews will attend to salting Priority Three roads as and when resources allow."
Mr Hynes added: “Waterford City and County Council currently has ample salt stocks to treat these roads for the duration of the cold spell. With 1,500 tonnes of salt in reserve at our yards in Waterford city and Dungarvan, salt is also being restocked as required from the National Depots in Cahir and Bellview.”
He is appealing to motorists to exercise caution on their journeys. “We would urge all motorists to reduce speed and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, so please slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey. Pedestrians should also take care as footpaths will be slippery due to ice.”
All Waterford City and County Council says its Integrated Homeless Services Severe Weather Protocol is currently in operation until March 31. Throughout this period, the Outreach Team from Waterford Integrated Homeless Services is in regular contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of impending weather alerts/freezing temperatures and remind them of the shelter arrangements which they can avail of.
Extra capacity is available at McGwire House, Bath Street, Waterford, where homeless men and women can present to avail of shelter (phone: 051 879930).
Women and children fleeing domestic violence should present to Oasis House, 71 Morrisson's Road, Waterford (phone: 051 370367).
With the Met Éireann Status Yellow Snow / Ice Warning issued for the weekend, Waterford City and County Council is appealing to the public to contact the Homeless Services Team by emailing [email protected] if they see person(s) sleeping rough in Waterford.