‘Poorly thought out strategy’: Minister Kimmins criticised after snow and ice chaos

Ulster Unionist Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA has called on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to take urgent action following widespread disruption caused by snow and ice across Northern Ireland last week.

Mr Stewart has confirmed that, at his request, the Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee has agreed to write formally to the Minister, seeking answers over the handling of winter services during the recent spell of severe weather.

The cold snap led to significant travel disruption, with motorists reporting untreated roads, impassable routes and a shortage of grit in some areas, raising concerns about public safety and emergency preparedness.

Speaking after the committee’s decision, Mr Stewart said:

“At my request, the Infrastructure Committee has agreed to write to Minister Liz Kimmins regarding the severe disruption caused by last week’s snow and ice across Northern Ireland. It is essential that core winter services are delivered effectively and that robust plans are in place when adverse weather hits.”

While criticising the Department for Infrastructure’s overall response, the Ulster Unionist MLA was keen to acknowledge the efforts of frontline workers during difficult conditions.

“I want to pay tribute to the gritters and staff who worked in extremely challenging conditions to keep roads open,” he said.

However, Mr Stewart argued that advance weather warnings should have allowed for a more decisive and coordinated response at ministerial level.

“There were ample warnings issued in good time that should have allowed the Minister to act decisively. Instead, what we witnessed was a poorly thought out strategy. Roads were not adequately or routinely gritted, and many alternative routes were simply missed, leaving motorists in peril.”

He also highlighted delays in refilling grit boxes and a lack of joined-up emergency planning with local councils, which he said left residents struggling during the worst of the conditions.

“The delays in refilling grit boxes and the absence of coordinated emergency planning with local councils left many residents without adequate grit supplies on critical days.”

According to Mr Stewart, the situation exposed deeper structural issues in how winter services are planned and delivered.

“There must be better planning and coordination between the Department for Infrastructure and local councils. The current setup is disconnected, and emergency planning is clearly lacking in places.”

He warned that severe winter weather could become more frequent and stressed the need for lessons to be learned.

“We need to face the reality that worsening winters may become the norm, and Minister Kimmins must step up and learn from this experience to ensure Northern Ireland is better prepared in the future.”

The Department for Infrastructure has yet to formally respond to the concerns raised, but the issue is now set to be scrutinised through correspondence from the Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee.