Further disruption to bus services likely in east

TRAVEL:FREEZING OVERNIGHT conditions may result in further disruption to bus services and difficult driving conditions again today.

Bus Éireann said last night passengers could expect “further disruptions in the east” if temperatures dropped and freezing took place as expected.

Six of this morning’s bus services from the Waterford depot have been cancelled. Most Bus Éireann school services will not operate as hundreds of schools are to stay closed.

There were cancellations of many services from Dublin yesterday and severe disruptions to local services in Co Louth. However, a Bus Éireann spokesman said the majority of services operated.

Motorists were heeding advice not to travel by car so the commuter routes were “quite busy”, a spokesman said.

Dublin Bus said it hoped to operate a full service this morning. However, this would be reviewed following the anticipated freeze last night.

The final inbound and outbound buses left at 8pm last night as a consequence of deteriorating conditions and safety concerns. Curtailments were introduced on almost 100 routes.

No service was running on at least six bus routes, mainly in the Wicklow area and in the west of the city. Many buses did not cover the Lucan area.

A Dublin Bus spokesman said there was a “steady flow” of customers on its services.

Road conditions are expected to be hazardous again this morning following a very cold and frosty night with temperatures as low as -10 degrees, leaving widespread icy surfaces.

More snow was expected in northern and western parts last night.

Leinster – and especially Dublin – was the worst affected area yesterday, according to AA Roadwatch.

Routes into Dublin city remained extremely icy last evening as motorists were again urged to avoid unnecessary journeys.

There was severe ice on parts of the main roads including the N11 at Enniscorthy and Ferns and the N81 at Baltinglass.

Main commuter routes in the capital, such as the M50, were relatively quiet during the evening rush hour.

Dense freezing fog descended around Dublin city last night. Icy and foggy conditions in counties Carlow, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Laois, Longford and Wicklow meant that conditions on some main roads were treacherous.

There were also particularly difficult road conditions on some main routes in northwest.

Air passengers again experienced disruptions. More than 15 flights in and out of Ireland West (Knock) Airport were cancelled as it closed for the second time this week.

Flights to Gatwick from Dublin, Cork and Shannon were cancelled due to the closure of the London airport yesterday.

Many flights in and out of Dublin Airport were also delayed.