Road conditions-Report here please

Hi folks,I thought a separate thread for people to post about road conditions would be a good idea for anyone brave enough to venture out on them.

I can start by telling you I've just driven on the old N11 from the kish roundabouts south exit of the Arklow by pass to Inch and it is definitely the worst I've seen it.
It's like the main road into Greenland.
Cars are doing a crawl and some are not making it up or down the railway hill due to the compacted snow and ice.

jay28

Well I stayed in arklow last night..........got a shock to see snow when I got up, I live in conary, so made it to avoca no problem, but had to abandon my car half way home and walk the rest of the way :mad: and with a hangover at that

darkman2

Attrocious here near Malahide. No thaw all day. Cars getting stuck on the Ice and lethal for walking. Really attrocious.

Sponge Bob

Sort of a Leinster/Midlands vs west/south coast thing. The roads are quite dry along the west south coast and so is the air. The Roads should not be too bad overnight.

Further east the roads are damp/wet/frozen and will freeze hard overnight .

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0101/weather.html

( West Galway is fine I was in Clifden this morning, they must mean East Galway and North Galway ...inland)

Gardaí and the AA are advising against any unnecessary travel in counties Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Roscommon, Galway, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow, due to extremely poor driving conditions.

The motorways west of Dublin are ALL in a state according to AA Roadwatch.

Read this and keep up to date if travelling. If planning to travel this weekend then the only long route that is feasible is Derry - Cork via Galway and points west of that and THEN in daytime once the thaw sets in post 10am. If the freezing fog lingers do not travel.

READ

http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/

vinylrules

Pretty bad around parts of Cabinteely/Foxrock area. Cornelscourt Hill - which is a busy route leading up to the M50 was impassable for a lot of cars this afternoon. The main problem area was at the second roundabout as you go up the hill. Very steep here - saw lots of cars sliding backwards - mainly smaller hatchbacks but also a Merc with four adults in it which couldn't budge. Of course guys in the bigger 4x4's went around this guy on the wrong side of the road causing no lilttle panic in cars coming down the hill!

One poor girl in a Fiesta got as far as the roundabout - car wouldn't move any further so she slid back a bit and tried to do a U-turn without succeeding for as long as I was there.

It can only get worse later on tonight!

Gonzo

Travelled this morning from Navan to Dunshaughlin, roads are Dangerous for 3km on the appraoch to Dunshaughlin from the Navan direction. Dont know whats it like from Dunshaughlin to Dublin. Lagore road around Dunshaughlin is covered in ice and snow with no thaw. Saw the AA pulling a car out of a ditch 1km from dunshaughlin on way home.

SeaFields

Just drove Killarney to Cork city. The road between Ballincollig bypass and Lissarda has sheets of ice in places. There's freezing fog and plenty of snow and ice on county bounds but if you take care it seems fine to drive on.

Care all round I'd say.

Oh and to all those idiots in there celtic tiger bought 4wd's that are still driving round like Michael Schumacer...you are not immune to the ice because your in a big, fancy jeep.

jenzz

No thaw really here. Car has some safety thing which cannot be turned off. ( its actually more dangerous than safe IMO) max car will do is 20km once it feels slippy. 2 inch ice still down the main road into town .. Advice to self - just leave car at home..... But one thing I will say... will all those tools booting it around the place seriously cop on..... You are not experienced to drive in these conditions.... The ice is dangerous... The roads are lethal & you will honestly end up killing yourself or someone else if you dont use your brain... Himself is a precision driver & said earlier not a hope in hell the car was going back on the road for the time being.... & since the local coco sold the gritter there will be no gritting done anywhere within the town tonight .. Basicly just avoid anywhere south of the town off the killarney rd.. Take care

manonmir

Blackrock/Dun Laoghaire and Killiney area very poor, really deteriorated in the last hour or two as it ices over. In a couple of spots I had no grip/control whatsoever. No way am I going back out in that.

Bog Butter

Happy new year all.

Just back from Carlingford county Louth. Drove on M1 and took the Ardee exit for home. Then on the N52 for Kells before taking the R162 for Navan. I then branched of that road and on to a minor road for home.

Although later hearing a warning on the radio about the strech of M1 between Carlingford and Ardee I found it grand. There was no lying snow on the roads, hard shoulder or landscape (apart from the Cooley mountains of course) between Carlingford and 2km north of the Ardee exit (N33).

I found the roads quite slippy between Ardee and home. I took it very very handy. The car wavered ever so slightly on me even going at a slow speed. When I got home I measured the depth of snow which had fallen: 1cm
That was on the roof of a car. There was no snow lying on the fields but there was snow on the roads.

A cm of snow fell and left the roads treacherous. I dread to think what a few cm more would have done. Normally though such a small amount of snow would be gone from the roads but I suppose it remained due to the fact that the roads are so cold.

Advice: take her handy folks!

Deep Easterly

Roads are quite dry here in Galway but still some surprise black ice patches on secondaries which need to be looked out for. Pavements are still very slippy in places so walking with extreme care is still advised.

Su Campu

Happy New Year to all!

I spent last night in Birr and drove back at lunchtime today. The M6 and M4 are a disgrace. At one point on the M6 there were 3 accidents within about 1km, including a car on its roof on the westbound carriageway. There's been absolutely no treatment of those roads. On some of the M6 the sun had thawed it but the eastbound overtaking lane was treacherous as the central median was keeping it in the shade. Of course some were still overtaking at speed, but at least it was bright and they could see. Now in the dark I think there will be more accidents unless they get the finger out and grit it.

The M4 from Enfield in was at a crawl, compacted snow and slush. Are there no snowplughs in the country? No gritters? I know about the countless communities in the west and north that have been banging on about this for 2 weeks now, and I fully agree with them. They say they're giving priority to the main roads - well that would include the M4 and M6 wouldn't it?

Here around Celbridge there are about 2cms of snow, no thaw all day so the roads and estates are great fun!

BostonB

Would this not be better in motors?

Anyway in D.15 most roads don't seem to be gritted. Or maybe they did it too early I dunno. Compacted snow is causing people problem on hills, bridges, and all those dips and ramps on and off the M50. Roads slippy all over. I would avoid going on the road unless you have to.

Didn't seem to stop one guy overtaking 2 cars on the N3 in the non cleared lane then sliding all the way up the lights. Muppet. Even if you drive carefully, theres a lot of daft driving going on out there.

Bog Butter

There should be emergency funding given to the county councils from central government so they can treat the roads effectively. They are rationing the resourses they have. But we have a exceptionally long cold snap here with little thawing and it is clear they are massively under resourced to deal with the situation. A little more urgency is needed to save lives!

DOCARCH

malman wrote: »

There should there be emergency funding given to the county councils from central government so they can treat the roads effectively. They are rationing the resourses they have. But we have a exceptionally long cold snap here with little thawing and it is clear they are massively under resourced to deal with the situation. A little more urgency is needed to save lives!

+1

-0.9c atm. Max today of 0.0c! Just back from the city centre and drove (well have drove and half slid) from Luas in Sandyford to here - amazed at the lack of a thaw today and equally amazed that some of the main roads had not been treated!

Tipsy Mac

malman wrote: »

There should there be emergency funding given to the county councils from central government so they can treat the roads effectively. They are rationing the resourses they have. But we have a exceptionally long cold snap here with little thawing and it is clear they are massively under resourced to deal with the situation. A little more urgency is needed to save lives!

Sadly the Emergency Planning Committee are on holidays at the moment and won't return to work until next week at the earliest...only in Ireland :rolleyes:

mickger

Waterford City to Dunmore East is icy and dangeros in places especially before the turn off to Woodstown. Be careful easpecially as its freezing hard now.

paddybar

roads are fairly dry around Doneraile but still patches of ice around.Heavy fog here for the last 3 hrs.

5500

West dublin lucan, tallaght, liffey valley ect doesnt appear to have been gritted at all, main routes are very bad so i can only assume they'l be worse again later with a freeze

redalicat

Co. Kildare: Just got back from a friend's using the R445 (what was the N78 Athy). The old N78 didn't look gritted to me but was melted in places, some parts quite icy, tho. The old N9, now bypassed and called the R448, seemed gritted and better, though I wouldn't chance it if you don't have to. The road to Calverstown off the old N78 definitely hasn't been gritted and was getting really bad. Glad to see so many taking it slow.

BostonB

eireal wrote: »

West dublin lucan, tallaght, liffey valley ect doesnt appear to have been gritted at all, main routes are very bad so i can only assume they'l be worse again later with a freeze

Ditto Castleknock/Blanch. Hardly anywhere seems to be gritted. Very slippy in parts.

garytuohy

Just Drove Coolock to Lucan via town

all pretty bad, especially the n4 which is solid ice from South Circular to Lucan..

few pricks speeding and flashing people to get out of their way. Glad to see one crash into the barrier devide (not bad but everyone who passed him then, beeped him)

jenzz

Does anyone know of anywhere that has actually been treated?
i was talking to a taxi man there & he has gone home . Twice he spun the car 360 deg in 2 seperate parts of Dublin. Cabinteely hill was a write off, Ardmore in Bray impassible ( what tool would attempt to go up it in that weather anyway - the 4 pratts who were crashing into each other i suppose), Ballybrack village bad, Blackrock to stillorgan bad, Monkstown solid... seems tobe a nightmare out there now.. But in all those areas not 1 road gritted????????:eek::mad::eek::mad::eek::mad:

inabina

jenzz wrote: »

Does anyone know of anywhere that has actually been treated?
i was talking to a taxi man there & he has gone home . Twice he spun the car 360 deg in 2 seperate parts of Dublin. Cabinteely hill was a write off, Ardmore in Bray impassible ( what tool would attempt to go up it in that weather anyway - the 4 pratts who were crashing into each other i suppose), Ballybrack village bad, Blackrock to stillorgan bad, Monkstown solid... seems tobe a nightmare out there now.. But in all those areas not 1 road gritted????????:eek::mad::eek::mad::eek::mad:

dublin too lasy/no money to grit. just past the ski slope at kilternan hotel where the dublin/wicklow border is, the gritting starts. Wicklow Co Co are gritting and dublin are not. right on the border the gritting stops.

BostonB

A good few muppets around alright. So even if your ok driving on snow/ice. one of these might run into you. So watch out for that, or just avoid going out. I won't be going out again unless I have too. Not that much snow so amazed it stuck. But with out grit it having an impact far worse than it should.

sdanseo

Anyone who does that flashing people lark in this sort of weather should be arrested and done for dangerous driving. Happened to me last night (was dangerously overtaken and tailgated for a bit) and it's bloody distracting in conditions that need all your concentration.

vinylrules

jenzz wrote: »

Cabinteely hill was a write off,

Just been out there trying to push a guy's car - not a chance! Some cars are making it up but it's bound to get worse. Avoid. Also the road in The Park estate leading up to the Spar, school etc. is like Smithfield on Ice! Car stuck at the top right now.

BostonB

Took me 3 or 4 attempts to get out of the local hotel car park, which is uphill. Needed a decent run and just scrambled over. After that I avoided any hills I could.

francosp

N2 around Finglas is appalling, even worse once you get off the main road.

PauloMN

Drove from Firhouse to Trim this afternoon, so M50 north, then N3 as far as Fairyhouse junction, then R154 to Trim. That stretch of M50 was ok, one or two lanes driveable, not sure if it had been gritted or if the earlier traffic had just done the work. Some idiots still driving too fast, mainly 4x4 drivers with that "I'm invincible" feeling.

N3 was pretty bad past Blanchardstown, didn't appear to have been gritted, lots of frozen snow/slush. Fine if keeping a slow speed. Cleared up a bit past Clonee - looks to have been less snowfall past that point. However, there might be less snow, but some stretches are lethal - was crawling all the way back to Trim on R154, and could feel the car slide a bit on spots that were in the shade. You come to a good stretch and all seems fine, then you hit a shady spot and it's a different story.

I assume all that will all freeze over again tonight - I'd say the roads will be exceptionally bad in the morning. Take care out there folks.

Hammer Archer

The road from the Naas road (Kill exit) to Straffan was extremely dangerous today. And yet there were still idiots out in force.
Coming up to the very steep, humpbacked bridge over the canal, the 4x4 in front of me decided that indicators were optional when turning right on the bridge, forcing me to almost stop on the steep incline. And of course the 4x4 behind was less than sympathetic, driving as close to my bumper as possible as my poor Skoda Fabia somehow slip-slided its way over the brow of the hill.
A northern registered HGV then tail gated me after that 4x4 had overtaken me.

Riamfada

Im in work and we have trucks in Portlaoise. They are all grounded as they cant get around the county

OPENROAD

Good thread guys,thanks for the info. looks like the roads are in a bad way and Saturday could be worse.

random_banter

Was due to drive to Galway yesterday evening but thought the best of it due to the weather - delighted I made that decision or I never would have got home!

Was due to drive to Gorey this afternoon from Dublin - once again thought the better of it, and delighted I have! Wouldn't have got very far and it is supposed to be LETHAL in that area at the moment. Plus the main N11 is terrible too I hear.

So here I am stuck in Dalkey with cabin fever - being on the coast we rarely get snow that sticks, and what do we get last night? Beautiful snow that has now thawed and frozen/been compacted. Every road around this town is like an ice rink - rock solid. Decided to make a break for it and try to drive to Donnybrook to visit someone - got as far as the end of Hyde road and turned around!

I am extremely cautious on this ice and only lost grip once.. but the eejits driving around these ice rink roads too fast and without any caution, I was more terrified of them! Really don't fancy the idea of someone slamming into me - so gave up and am back at home.

In conclusion- the roads all around Dalkey, Killiney, Dun Laoghaire are solid ice rinks - people are mad to try to go anywhere on them. I imagine they will only get worse overnight and over the next few days. Put on your walking boots!

No sign of salt, gritters, anything. It is a sham! Reports are that theyve run out of salt reserves for the whole country? It is only a matter of time before somebody is killed.

sdanseo

Apparently 8,000 tonnes of salt coming into Limerick on Tuesday, until then most of connacht is low on supplies. That was on RTÉ 2 days ago so it's gonna be slippy over the weekend!

Nobody should be killed or injured as a result of the weather if people drive sensibly on the ice. That means

DO NOT OVERTAKE
DO NOT TAILGATE
DO NOT Think you are invincible because you have a jeep or 4WD vehicle
DONT FLASH OR BEEP because people are going slowly
USE your indicators and if it's snowing heavily, foglights front and rear, and finally
DONT be a fúcking hero.

Simple.

mondeo

The roads around by nutgrove shopping centre are like skating rings, literally solid ice on some stretches. Driving up around the hill at the back of the shopping centre passed the staff car parks I got stuck and had to reverse cautiously back down the hill..... it was a no go area unless you had a 4WD.. So anyone local around there be warned leave your car in the drive Because I promise you your going to get stuck. My volvo with stability control, traction control etc could not do it and my tyres were pretty decent.

herbiemcc

Does anybody know what the chances are of SDCC gritting roads in the Lucan area? Looks like it'll be a 3 mile walk to work in the morning as the slushy snow is bound to freeze overnight.

Thanks.

Riamfada

Have to drive to Clifden on Monday morning. Hoping that the roads will be ok by then

Graces7

That is utterly ridiculous.

Never heard the like...

The back/side roads here are totally untouched and thick ice.

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Sadly the Emergency Planning Committee are on holidays at the moment and won't return to work until next week at the earliest...only in Ireland :rolleyes:

nacho libre

just got back from North Donegal via the the main Galway to Derry road. The main roads all the way were treated.
I just had to go on one back road(around gweedore) which had 4 inches of ice on it.
By the way Benbulben and the Bluestacks looked fantastic in the snow.

Voodoomelon

1 Celsius in Dundalk and all the roads are fine, very driveable.

Mr.Boots

The roads around Gorey are in a very bad way.....no amount of grit is going to help them.
The old N11 is like glass with oil and washing up liquid on it...
Side roads are beyond belief.
I saw lots of abandoned cars on various hills in the area.
I have a proper 4x4 and although i can get up the hills no problem, its still inposible to get traction on downhills or roads with alot of camber.
I didnt get out of 2nd 3rd gear all day, stayed under 40kmh....i was suprised how many people overtook me (or am i just to cautious???)
I even got flashed at one stage:eek:


I did notice a few car hole shapes in ditches.

If you dont need to go out.....DONT
I have to travel the woodenbridge/aughrim road tomorow...is that in Sh!te also?

eigrod

Has the food hoarding begun yet ?

On a serious note, I'm sure deliveries to shops and supermarkets could be affected over the coming days.

Vainglory

Anyone got any info on the Dublin to Monaghan routes?

Cabinteely to Wexford possible tomorrow midday you reckon ?

Pangea

They've taken the roads in and stored them away for the night.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Cabinteely to Wexford possible tomorrow midday you reckon ?

Once you get down onto the n11/m11 southbound I hear it's fine this evening and gritted well.
Make sure you get back before dark.

However this morning the Gorey bypass and the Arklow one [the only 2 I saw] were skating rinks with 2 or 3 inches of ice and snow on them hard and slippy.
That was because they didn't get enough grit and there wasnt enough over night traffic on them and obviously they both suffered a "surprise" heavy snowfall.

patrickc

have to go Carlow-Mitchelstown-Tullamore-Carlow tomorrow.

going to go main roads all the way, carlow to Kilkenny to Clonmel , and onto M8, then M8/N8 to portlaoise and across to Tullamore, and then back to Carlow via N80 to Carlow.

anyone do any of these roads today, or know what there to be like?

tinkerbell

eigrod wrote: »

Has the food hoarding begun yet ?

On a serious note, I'm sure deliveries to shops and supermarkets could be affected over the coming days.

lol I did a big grocery shop on Wednesday afternoon to stock up as I knew weather would be a disaster. Think we've got enough supplies now to last us til next Thurs or so woohoo! Although have to drive to work on Monday, ugh dreading the journey - hope the roads are ok by then.

dbyrne

South Dublin is crazy, the council havnt gritted any of the roads, just back in the door and I have to go into work tommorow and I am not looking forward to it. When this freezes tonight tommorow is going to be scary.
In donegal town on Christmas morning went to see if the centra beside lidl was open and saw that the road to the council office had been gritted even though they are not back to work till this week, but the fire station had none out side it that is on the same road. It would have taken 2 minutes to reverse the truck in their yard spread some grit and turn around and drive back out.

RedorDead

I came up from Portlaoise to Dublin this evening at about 6 and the M7 was okay between there and Monasterevin - cars travelling approx 60-70km/h - between Monasterevin and Naas it was very bad - cars only going 40km/h. Large build up of snow on the roads - didnt really look like they were treated in that stretch. Between Naas and Dublin they were okay as was the M50. M50-N4 sliproad was ridiculous - completely untreated and incredibly slippy as was the whole N4. Be careful out there folks. Arriving late is better than not arriving at all.