Spring storm wreaks havoc on local roads

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The unexpected severe weather conditions which battered the province on Tuesday and Wednesday wreaked havoc on local roads.

Whilst the Craigantlet hills were blanketed in snow during the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) morning, the Ards was subject to heavy rainfall, accompanied by biting gale force winds.

Power supplies were interrupted, trees blocked roads, and many minor and main roads were impassable due to heavy flooding.

Trees blocked a number of roads over the 24 hour period, including the Kemp Stones Road, where both Ards bound lanes were closed for an hour.

Vehicles were reported to have become stranded at Loughries Road Newtownards, which police confirmed had become impassable.

NIEs emergency crew were called to Ringneill Road, Comber, where an electricity pole had fallen, tossing live cables onto the road. The emergency workers battled against the elements and removed the pole within 30 minutes.

Belfast Road, Newtownards, was particularly badly affected. Rivers of water flowed from fields along the length of the road, spilling out onto the main Dundonald to Newtownards dual carriageway.

Five trees were also reported to have blown down at the Kiltonga duck pond, one striking a vehicle. Live power cables were also brought down and caused the road to be temporarily closed. The duck pond itself was overflowing into the surrounding pathways.

A bank subsided at Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards, while over two feet of water at Movilla Road made it impassable.

Peninsula roads were also badly hit, with water from Strangford Lough being whipped up onto the road. A fallen tree blocked Ballyblack Road East, while a wall collapsed and blocked the Newtownards Road in Greyabbey.

Flooding also caused the closure of roads in Killinchy, Comber and Donaghadee.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: It was an extremely busy night for us. We had to respond to all calls, of which there were very many. Obviously we only have so many officers available and we worked through the night to deal with them as quickly as possible.

As well as the road closures, there were also numerous alarm activations as a result of the weather, all of which had to be checked by police.

While the clearing up process got underway on a brighter, calmer Wednesday, forecasters warned of further unsettled weather over the following days. Spring may have sprung, but it would appear April holds more than a few showers in store this year.