Roads closed after gales uproot trees

Roads closed after gales uproot trees

15 January 2020

STORM Brendan unleashed his fury across the district on Monday.

Fallen trees forced the closure of roads — several of which still remained impassable or partially closed yesterday morning — while a small number of homes were left without electricity in the wake of the raging storm.

Coastal roads in Newcastle, Strangford and Portaferry were buffeted with high waves, making driving hazardous for motorists, as storm gales reached speeds of up to 80mph.

The Met Office had issued a yellow storm warning to hit Co Down. However, the district felt the brunt of the storm from early morning to late afternoon, making the daily commute to and from work and school difficult for many travellers.

Early on Monday, Newry, Mourne and Down Council closed Delamont Country Park in Killyleagh “as a precautionary measure” along with several other of its parks in South Down. Castlewellan mountain bike trail was also closed.

The Strangford to Portaferry ferry service was temporarily halted due to the gales. The landing area and the approach road to the ferry in Strangford was at one point swamped with water several feet deep.

Police closed South Promenade in Newcastle in both directions due to the adverse weather conditions and advised motorists to seek alternative routes.

There were also unconfirmed local reports that a boat sank in Newcastle harbour due to the ferocity of the winds and waves.

The Killough Road in Downpatrick was closed until late yesterday afternoon.

Also in Downpatrick, the Killyleagh Road was closed at the junction with the Strangford Road. One lane was reopened later.

The fallen tree also impacted on NIE power lines, causing a loss of supply. The road was not completely open for travel until yesterday.

The Old Belfast Road in Downpatrick was closed in both directions after a tree fell on the road between Quoile Bridge and the war memorial.

There were also reports of road closures at Ballyknockan Road, Saintfield; Ballagh Road, Newcastle; and Manse Road, Carryduff; Rubane Road; Kircubbin; and Moneyreagh Road, Ballygowan.

An electricity cable came down on the Moneyscalp Road, Bryansford.

Trees or branches which fell on to roads and caused issues for motorists were reported at the Buck’s Head, Annadoran Road area outside Downpatrick; Church Road, Kilmore; Saul Brae and Sievegrange Road, Downpatrick; and Drumgavlin Road, near Ballynahinch.

There were also reports of electricity supply being cut off in parts of the Castlewellan area.