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The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is warning of disruption to many services it provides ahead of the day of industrial action on Thursday, January 18.
With cold weather being forecast for this week, the industrial action will cause disruption to winter gritting service.
The Department has advised people to avoid travel, if possible, on Thursday, January 18 incase of bad weather. Where people need to travel, drivers and other road users will need to take particular care on Thursday and Friday given the potential for icy conditions and ongoing disruption to gritting.
Where possible, contingency plans are being put in place, but it is expected that there will be widespread disruption on Thursday, which will affect the following services, MOT services, gritting, ferry services, drainage and flooding services.
A DFI spokesperson said, “The work done by the Department’s staff is a constant, vital but often unseen aspect of the day-to-day functioning of society and its value becomes very visible when it is not available, particularly on the road network. Without people to deliver these essential services, there is limited mitigation possible to preserve the normal protection to road users.
“We will not know the precise number of staff available until the days of strike action which means it could be Thursday morning before the full impact will be known and understood. The Department will, however, only be able to deliver a fraction of its normal gritting service.
“The Department also appreciates the additional impact that other aspects of industrial disputes will have on 18 January. Our colleagues in the Department of Health have advised people to take sensible steps to reduce their chances of requiring their services on the day. Similarly, we would ask that, where possible, people think carefully about whether they need to travel – particularly if temperatures drop below freezing as currently forecast.”
They added, “We will be keeping our advice to the public under review as the week progresses and the weather forecast becomes more certain.”
At all times anyone travelling on the roads is advised to exercise caution.
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