IRISH people have been warned to avoid a major beauty spot due to heavy snow and treacherous road conditions.
Wicklow County Council has asked people to stay away from the Wicklow Mountains this week.
The Sally Gap at the Wicklow mountains will remain closed today[/caption]
The council confirmed that Sally Gap will remain closed and several mountain roads are impassable because of snow and ice affecting the area.
Gardai also reported issuing 15 fines to drivers for improper parking on the narrow roads around the Sally Gap yesterday.
In a social media post, Wicklow County Council acknowledged the appeal of the scenery, but urged people to stay away.
They said: “An Garda Síochána in Roundwood, have issued fines to the drivers of 15 cars including these – parked on the narrow roads around the Sally Gap yesterday.
“This prevents our gritters and other road-clearing machinery been able to do their job effectively.
“We understand that people want to take in the snowy scenery but please help us out and be responsible.
“The area is impassable so please avoid it, thank you.”
Wicklow County Council also shared that road crews have been working since 3am this morning to clear roads and grit surfaces.
It comes as a Status Orange low temperature and ice weather warning was in place for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht last night.
Temperatures were down as low as -6C in some places last night with concerns this morning over lingering ice, frost and freezing fog.
Issuing the urgent advice for road users the RSA said: “With extreme low temperatures persisting and hazardous conditions such as frost, ice, fog and lying snow affecting roads nationwide, the Road Safety Authority is renewing its call for all road users to remain vigilant and exercise caution.
“Even treated surfaces can remain dangerous particularly as the effectiveness of sanding and gritting is being hampered by rain and sleet showers.
“Road users are asked to treat every road as treacherous in the context of widespread black ice, make only essential journeys, take it slowly and allow extra time for travel to reduce risks for all and to relieve the pressure on the emergency services.”
Low surface temperatures have been reported on roads across the country this morning with snow still visible along the edges of many, particularly in the south.
And congestion on the M50 this morning only caused more travel chaos for commuters amid already difficult travelling conditions.
MET EIREANN CAUTION CALL
And with daytime temperatures today staying below freezing at -1C to 4C Met Eireann have issued their own warning for road users.
Senior Met Eireann forecaster Gerry Murphy warned road users to exercise caution as the combination of freezing fog and ice will make roads dangerous.
He explained: “Freezing fog…can reduce visibility even further, and can be very dangerous.
“So people need to be very aware to take great care with regard to freezing fog, as well as the fact that there is literally a widespread frost and ice across the country.”
