NEWS

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Infrastructure Minister to review the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) Roads policy on grit provision, warning that the current approach risks undermining community efforts to improve safety during winter weather. The intervention follows recent snow and icy conditions, during which many communities relied heavily on grit to help keep roads and footways passable. Mr Swann said residents have expressed a willingness to take p

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has paid tribute to road gritting teams for their efforts in keeping Northern Ireland’s main routes safe during the Christmas period and the current spell of severe winter weather. Gritting crews have been operating throughout the festive season and during an ongoing cold snap that has brought heavy snowfall to parts of the Northern Ireland, placing increased pressure on road services and frontline staff.

Severe winter weather has placed intense pressure on road services across North Antrim, with local MLAs raising concerns over grit shortages, untreated roads and the Department for Infrastructure’s preparedness following heavy snowfall. Large parts of rural North Antrim have been affected by snowfall of between six and eight inches over the past two days, leaving some roads difficult to access and heightening safety concerns for residents, commuters and emergency services. TU

A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued for Northern Ireland, with hazardous conditions expected to develop overnight as temperatures fall and wintry showers move across the region. The warning is in force between 6:00pm on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and 11:00am on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with icy patches likely to form on untreated surfaces, increasing the risk of travel disruption. Forecasters say that after a day that has been less cold than recent days, conditions

Icicles in the Glens of Antrim. (Image Liz Weir) A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued for Northern Ireland, with hazardous conditions expected to develop from Monday evening through to Tuesday morning, raising concerns for commuters, motorists and pedestrians. The warning is effective from 5pm on Monday 5 January 2026 until 10am on Tuesday 6 January 2026, according to the Met Office. Forecasters say ice formation on untreated surfaces is likely to cause impacts in

The Met Office has issued two consecutive yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across Northern Ireland, warning that prolonged wintry conditions could lead to travel disruption from Friday afternoon through the weekend and into Monday morning. The first warning is in effect from 3:00pm on Friday 2 January 2026 until 12:00pm on Saturday 3 January 2026 , with a second warning following immediately from 12:00pm on Saturday 3 January until 12:00pm on Monday 5 January 2026. Fo

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has urged the public to make road safety a priority in 2026 following the release of provisional figures showing that 57 people lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads in 2025. The latest data, published by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), highlights a decrease on the 69 fatalities recorded in 2024 and the 71 deaths in 2023. However, the figures also reveal deeply concerning trends involving vulnerable road users, particu

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across Northern Ireland, with motorists and early-morning commuters urged to take extra care due to the risk of icy conditions and possible travel disruption. The warning is in effect from 00:00 until 10:00 on Friday, 2 January 2026, and covers all six counties of the province — Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone. According to the Met Office, the warning follows a spell of rain, sleet and

As the festive season draws to a close, residents in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland are being advised to prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures and the possibility of wintry weather in the coming days. According to the latest forecasts from the UK Met Office, the week from Monday 29 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026 will bring predominantly cold and dry conditions at first, transitioning to more unsettled patterns with a risk of snow toward the latter part of th

93-year-old Patrick Joseph Brady, known locally as Patsy A 93-year-old man has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Rathfriland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the fatal incident occurred late on Saturday night, 20 December, on the Newry Road. Chief Inspector Simpson from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit said officers were alerted shortly before 11pm. “Shortly after 10.45pm, we received a report of a collision involving a silv

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, from the PSNI’s Operational Support Department Preliminary figures released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show that 129 people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving during the first 15 days of December, prompting renewed warnings about the potentially fatal consequences of getting behind the wheel under the influence. The figures, covering the period 1–15 December, are provisional and subject to change. Howe

More than £30 million in additional funding has been allocated to improve roads across Northern Ireland, with £4 million specifically targeted at the rural road network, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced. The new funding package, secured through the December Monitoring process, will support an expanded programme of road improvement works aimed at addressing longstanding maintenance challenges and improving safety for road users across both urban and rural area

A security alert in the Ballyclare area has ended following a major public safety operation involving police and Ammunition Technical Officers. Police confirmed they received a report of a suspicious object located outside a property in the Ballylagan Road area shortly after 9am on Sunday, 14 December. Officers attended the scene and established a number of temporary cordons while the object was examined. Detective Inspector Hanbidge said: “Our officers attended the scene tog

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland, with forecasters cautioning that “periods of heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and some flooding” between 00:00 on Sunday 14 December and 06:00 on Monday 15 December 2025. According to the warning, “outbreaks of rain will affect Northern Ireland Sunday and clear away on Monday morning.” The rain is expected to be “heavy and persistent at times with accumulations of 20–30 mm expected to develop

With Christmas fast approaching, the Consumer Council has published a series of practical travel tips designed to help passengers prepare for smooth and stress-free journeys over the festive season. The organisation is urging travellers across Northern Ireland to plan ahead—whether flying from local airports, sailing, or using public transport—to avoid unnecessary delays at one of the busiest times of the year. Michelle Kelly, Head of Transport Policy at the Consumer Council,

The Met Office has issued both yellow and amber weather warnings for Northern Ireland today (Tuesday 9 December) as Storm Bram sweeps across the region, bringing the potential for widespread disruption. The yellow and amber warnings, which span from 9:00am to 10:00pm on Tuesday, cover the province, with the most severe conditions expected in western and northern areas where the amber warning applies. According to forecasters, “Storm Bram is expected to pass close to western I

Multi-agency preparations are underway across Northern Ireland ahead of Storm Bram, with a Met Office yellow warning in place for strong winds on Tuesday 9 December from 9am to 9pm. Forecasters warn that gusts of 50–60mph are expected widely, with the potential to exceed 70mph in the most exposed western areas. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has activated emergency response measures, as teams continue clearing road gullies, checking drainage systems and placing addit

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland as Storm Bram — officially named by Met Éireann — is forecast to bring severe winds and heavy rain across the UK later on Monday and through Tuesday. The warning is in place from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Tuesday 9 December 2025, with forecasters urging the public to prepare for disruption to travel, power supplies and coastal areas. Storm Bram is expected to track close to western Ireland on Tuesday, generatin

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain  covering all six counties of Northern Ireland this Sunday, 7th December 2025. The warning, which is active between 8:00am and 3:00pm , cautions the public about the likelihood of heavy rainfall leading to some disruption across the region. . Anticipated Impact and Rainfall Totals A band of rain is set to sweep northeast across Northern Ireland during Sunday daytime. The primary concern is the volume of rainfall falling onto

Kilrea Bridge Kilrea Bridge is set to reopen to cars and light vehicles this weekend, as the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) confirms that temporary stabilisation works are nearing completion. The route will reopen at 8am on Saturday 6 December, restoring a vital connection for local residents and businesses in the run-up to Christmas. The bridge, located on the B64 Bann Road, has been closed to allow engineers to carry out essential safety work. DfI has now confirmed tha