THE TEMPO ROAD to Enniskillen was closed on Saturday morning as black ice played havoc with road conditions causing multiple crashes. 

 

Police closed the road after three separate road collisions were reported early on Saturday morning, with two in the vicinity of Largy and another beside Crawford’s car garage. The road was closed for approximately an hour and a half due to the hazardous conditions, with a diversion put in place via the main A4 Belfast Road.

 

Local SDLP councillor Patricia Rodgers, who lives one mile outside Tempo on the Enniskillen side explained that she travelled the road just hours before the accidents.

 

“I chose to go to Irvinestown via Enniskillen that morning not long after 7am as I had business to do that morning. Rather than take the back roads as I was afraid they would be kind of dicey I went via Enniskillen so I was surprised to see this could happen on the main road.”

 

The councillor said that the frosty road conditions may have caught people unaware.

 

“There was a slight drizzle of rain which may of contributed to it as it is not usually an overly dangerous road. In fact when I heard it had happened I thought an oil spill may have contributed to it. It wouldn’t be renowned for many accidents I think it is really just a case of the winter weather having crept up on us.”

 

She continued: “I believe the gritters weren’t out until after that so they had to close the road for motorists’ safety. At this time of year motorists have to be more vigilant from here on in the cold weather. Transport NI are doing their best to treat the roads where they can, but we must also do our bit.”

 

With more and more people now using the Tempo Road, instead of the main arterial route the A4 to travel to Belfast Mrs Rodgers has urged caution on the stretch.

 

“We need to be putting it out there that drivers need to be more careful and leave a bit more time when they’re travelling. One of the cars involved in a crash on Saturday was on its roof with the wheels up in the air. It would be something you wouldn’t like to come across too often.”

 

PSNI inspector Roy Robinson revealed that he spoke to a number of people who travelled the road on Saturday morning who explained just how treacherous the conditions were.

 

“A lady who was on the way to work told me she had been passed so flashed a guy with her lights to indicate to him that the road was slippery and next thing he got to the scene of an accident and he fell on the road. She wound down the window and said to him: ‘Didn’t I tell you they were slippery’.

 

Mr Robinson called the accidents a “wake-up call” and urged motorists to make sure they are satisfied with the road conditions before they set off on their journeys. 

 

A spokesperson for Transport NI said, “On Friday night and into Saturday morning there were continuous rain and sleet showers across Fermanagh and temperatures varied throughout the night but were continuously monitored by TransportNI staff. In conditions such as these, the timing of any gritting has to ensure that it will be effective for road users and avoids the risk of being washed off by a rain shower.

 

 “The B80 is a scheduled salt route and gritting was carried out at 9.50am on Saturday morning.

 

 “TransportNI is aware of reports of a number of incidents on this route.  While TransportNI aims, whenever possible, to keep road users fully up to date with road conditions, drivers have a responsibility to always drive with caution, especially during unpredictable winter weather conditions.”