Council to start gritting Lurgan town centre

Gritting is not the responsibility of Craigavon Council however it has in the past provided assistance during extreme weather conditions.

DUP councillor Carla Lockhart asked Craigavon Council staff to contact Roads Service and offer assistance.

She said the town centres and car parks needed gritted as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Lockhart said she was concerned that given the slippery conditions people, particularly the elderly, would slip and fall.

She added: “We see Road Service refusing to grit town centre footpaths and carparks therefore I felt it was essential that Council steps up to the mark and assists our residents in this practical way.

“Unfortunately Council is not in a position to grit private developments and public roads however, if you require a grit box please get it touch.”

Meanwhile in black ice and snow caused chaos throughout the Lurgan and Craigavon area over the past week.

Plus it was a near miss for one local man during the stormy weather after a tree crashed on top of his tractor.

It is understood the farmhand had just moved a short distance from the tractor on the Stramore Road, Gilford when the tree collapsed onto the engine of the vehicle during an intense storm last week.

Snow followed by icy conditions, particularly black ice, also led to a number of minor collisions.

Yesterday (Tuesday) the PSNI warned the Drumnascamph Road, Laurencestown has been closed due to ‘treacherous road conditions’.