'Like an ice rink': Limerick motorists warned of slippery road conditions

MOTORISTS in Limerick have been warned to take extra caution while driving this Monday morning, with reports of black ice on a number of roads. 

Plunging temperatures across the city and county have caused a number of major traffic disruptions and delays due to widespread ice on the roads. 

Emergency services attended the scene of a crash near the Croom bypass this Monday morning.

The collision is understood to have involved a bus  and a car on the Old Cork Road out of Croom.

AA Roadwatch is reporting “very icy” road conditions around Limerick city. 

According to Cllr Emmett O’Brien, there was a “minor road traffic accident” on the N69 in the Pallaskenry area. It is reported to have occurred at Hegarty’s Cross, as the general area is “covered in ice”. 

This is the only weather warning remaining in place for #Limerick. Stay safe. Drive with caution #WinterReady pic.twitter.com/dKVelqT63G

— Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) December 10, 2017

Clare councillor Cathal Crowe reported a large truck being caught on a hill between Meelick Shop and Brennan’s Cross. He posted on social media: “I’ve been on to Council workers and hope to have a crew at the scene Asap.”

There has been slow-moving traffic all across the city and county this morning, including Patrickswell, Castletroy, Limerick city centre, Kildimo, Kilmallock and the Ballinacurra Road area. 

There are delays on the Corbally Road inbound, and are heaviest just after Athlunkard Bridge, AA Roadwatch reports. 

The Parteen Road is understood to be slow inbound, before Moyross as far as the New Road junction.

The Condell Road has improved inbound from Ted Russell Park over Shannon Bridge since 8.30am. 

One commuter told the Leader: “When I was driving through Patrickswell I almost got into a collision. At one point, I was trying to turn but my car wasn’t turning. I couldn’t stop at a junction. I was going slow, but I didn’t, I probably would have crashed.”

She added: “It’s like an ice rink”. 

Another commuter said that the conditions around Castletroy, particularly in the University of Limerick area, “are pretty bad”. “I was trying to pull up near the university, and I was skidding.”

A number of businesses in the city centre are spreading salt on the footpaths, in order to make pavement conditions more safe for pedestrians. 

There are reports of “a lot of black ice” in the Kilmallock area.