DELAYS..Jonathan Kerr of Kergo Freight
ICY roads sparked fears for motorists on their Monday morning commute – despite the swift response from gritting trucks when the issue was raised.
Four car crashes were reported on Monday morning, and while the causes of the incidents are still under investigation, locals reported roads as slippy and dangerous prior to roads service response, which began at 8.45am.
Jonathan Kerr, who operates a transportation business, Kergo, noted delays for his business due to road conditions.
“Most areas were pretty bad across Fermanagh especially Belleek, Trillick, Irvinestown, Cashel and Tempo. The main issue was the black ice on both major and minor roads due to late gritting.”
Jonathan didn’t feel that the response from road service was adequate.
“Sadly not, gritting crews weren’t out until after 9am which unfortunately came too late for most of us heading out on Monday morning.”
The four road collisions reported were on the Tempo Road, at 8.40am, where three vehicles were involved; a two vehicle collision on the Mossfield Road, Irvinestown at around 8.17am; a one-vehicle collision on the Moorlough Road, Lisnakea, shortly before 10.30am; and a ‘damage only’ collision in the Tempo area at around 10.10am. The collisions are currently under investigation.
DUP Councillor, Paul Robinson, lives in Fivemiletown, and described the roads as ‘very bad’.
“It didn’t start freezing until after 6am as I was out at 4.30am and there wasn’t a pick. But at 8am it was like a bottle.”
He said that he wasn’t surprised to hear of a number of accidents on Monday morning, but added that he felt roads service acted appropriately.
“It wasn’t a surprise from the speed people were going – they didn’t seem to realise how bad it was. The roads were treated, but maybe not at the same time.
“The main thoroughfares would have been done first.”
A spokesperson for DRD said: “Following late morning rain on Monday morning, Roads Service treated all of the salted network in Fermanagh. Gritting started from 8.45am.
“Police are investigating the causes of several accidents in the Fermanagh area on Monday.”
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