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Motorists warned of icy weather Third payment to cope with freeze
(about 10 hours later)
A severe weather warning is in place for motorists in Northern Ireland as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous. The prolonged freeze has led to a third cold weather payment being made to people on benefits in Northern Ireland.
Rain, sleet and snow fell overnight on already-icy roads and pavements, and overnight temperatures plunged to -5 C in rural areas. A severe weather warning remains in place for motorists as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous.
Colin Brown from the Roads Service said ice-free roads could not be guaranteed. Rain, sleet and snow fell overnight on already-icy roads and temperatures overnight plunged to -5 C in rural areas.
"The difficulty we have is rain. It can affect the amount of salt we put down and the effect it has on it," he said. The Roads Service said ice-free roads could not be guaranteed.
Spokesperson Colin Brown said: "The difficulty we have is rain. It can affect the amount of salt we put down and the effect it has on it.
"Just be very wary. Motorists at all times should be appreciative that conditions change and they change very quickly.""Just be very wary. Motorists at all times should be appreciative that conditions change and they change very quickly."
Snow could disrupt rush-hour traffic, and the weather warning is in place until 1200 GMT on Tuesday. A new weather warning has been issued and will remain in place until 1200 GMT on Wednesday.
SCHOOL CLOSURES Blackwater Integrated, DownpatrickDundonald High School, Belfast Lisnagarvey High School, Lisburn, to FridayDonaghey Primary School, DungannonDerryboy Primary, CrossgarStrangford College, CarrowdoreSt Mary's Primary, Granemore, KeadyGrove Nursery Unit, Shore Road, BelfastKillinchy Primary School, KillinchyKillen Primary SchoolCastlederg High SchoolKnockavoe Special SchoolBridgehill Primary SchoolOmagh Integrated Primary SchoolSt Mary's Boys Primary SchoolSt Mary's Girls Primary SchoolSt Peter's Primary School, PlumbridgeSt Brigid's Primary School, CranaghSt Martin's Primary School, Garrison A number of class="bodl" href="/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8442638.stm">schools across Northern Ireland will be closed on Wednesday, due to icy weather and in some cases, heating problems.
Causeway closed Lisnagarvey High School in Lisburn will be closed until Friday due to a burst pipe.
On Monday, icy weather forced the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge to shut. Dundonald High School will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, but GCSE pupils studying learning for work and life should attend according to their exam timetable.
In Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, parents have been urged to prevent their children from playing on a frozen lake.
Police in the area issued a warning after officers spotted footprints and bicycle tracks on and around the Round Lake in the village.
"While playing on the frozen surface may seem like a novelty, the risks shouldn't be underestimated," a police spokeswoman said.
"There is no uniformity in the formation of ice and while it may seem sturdy and able to support weight, it can become very thin very quickly."
Graham Furey, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, said that the weather was hitting deliveries and collections for farmers as well as making it harder to ensure stock was fed and watered.Graham Furey, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, said that the weather was hitting deliveries and collections for farmers as well as making it harder to ensure stock was fed and watered.
"The major problem seems to be in getting feed into animals whether delivered by lorries in bulk or getting product off farms," he said."The major problem seems to be in getting feed into animals whether delivered by lorries in bulk or getting product off farms," he said.
"The main roads have been well gritted and are good and clear, if you live along a main road there are no major problems, but once you get on to minor roads, it's effecting everybody in the rural areas."The main roads have been well gritted and are good and clear, if you live along a main road there are no major problems, but once you get on to minor roads, it's effecting everybody in the rural areas.
"We know that its hitting people in town areas as well in housing estates with gritting problems.""We know that its hitting people in town areas as well in housing estates with gritting problems."
PaymentsPayments
As the icy conditions continue, the government announced it would make a second round of cold weather payments. As the icy conditions continue, the government announced it would make a third round of cold weather payments.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said on Monday that an additional £25 would be paid automatically to about 166,000 people on low incomes to help with heating costs. Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said on Tuesday that an additional £25 would be paid automatically to about 166,000 people on low incomes to help with heating costs.
The Giant's Causeway has been closed because of the weatherThe Giant's Causeway has been closed because of the weather
"This third payment of £25 will be paid automatically by the Social Security Agency to qualifying customers throughout Northern Ireland. There is no need to make a claim," the minister said.
"This means that qualifying customers will be getting a total of £75 to help them meet increased fuel bills during this exceptional and sustained period of cold weather."
Anyone in the agricultural industry who needs urgent help is being asked to contact the Roads Service.Anyone in the agricultural industry who needs urgent help is being asked to contact the Roads Service.
Last month was the coldest December in almost 30 years, according to readings taken at the Armagh Observatory.Last month was the coldest December in almost 30 years, according to readings taken at the Armagh Observatory.
The mean temperature was 1.5 C, the coldest average measurement since 1981.The mean temperature was 1.5 C, the coldest average measurement since 1981.
However, December was sunnier and drier than normal with 53.3 hours of sunshine, about 40% more than normal for the time of the year.However, December was sunnier and drier than normal with 53.3 hours of sunshine, about 40% more than normal for the time of the year.
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