'Treacherous' road conditions across County Derry for motorists as winter arrives

Motorists across County Derry have been gridlocked in certain areas due to the wintery conditions causing trouble for vehicles.

A lorry overturned on the main road between Derry and Belfast, between Dungiven and Maghera.

This has led to delays across the Glenshane area of Derry. 

Various social media accounts have posted about the traffic, with motorists informing people about their struggles in the conditions and the gridlock situation that has plagued many roads across the county.

Kevin Donnelly posted on Facebook: “Anyone travelling to Derry, leave extra time for your journey as there are two lorries stuck in the crawler lane, overturned lorry at the Ponderosa, and an overturned van outside Dungiven.”

Sinn Fein councillor Dermot Nicholl took to Facebook to urge motorists to be careful on the roads.

He said: "Folks, we all know that the driving conditions are treacherous today and please be careful, I have requested and made Road Service aware of the conditions of the Clooney Rd from Limavady to Derry and have already requested assistance as a matter of urgency to make driving safer for all motorists on this stretch of road."

Faughan councillor Declan Norris posted to Facebook urging people to take care on the roads.

He said: “Folks there is delays from Broadbridge roundabout to Derry airport roundabout due to icy conditions on the road at Greysteel. 

“Please give yourselves plenty of time to travel wherever you are going today. 

“And please drive safely.”

Motorists are reporting problems across the Greysteel and Eglinton areas of Derry, with the ‘treacherous’ conditions to blame.

One motorist took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to describe their experience.

Leona O’Neill said: “Had to turn back after two hours of trying to navigate treacherous conditions on the Derry-Coleraine Road. Main road through Greysteel was solid ice. Was it not gritted? So many accidents there this morning; people stuck, crashes. It was bedlam. Be careful out there @WeatherCee”

Had to turn back after two hours of trying to navigate treacherous conditions on the Derry- Coleraine Road. Main road through Greysteel was solid ice. Was it not gritted? So many accidents there this morning, people stuck, crashes. It was bedlam. Be careful out there @WeatherCee pic.twitter.com/t4cl8VdQmd

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) November 20, 2024

Meanwhile, another Facebook user was questioning why more had not been done to prevent this situation from occurring.

It read: “Traffic is now queued back to Limavady Windyhill from Eglinton. Part of the problem is the road through Greysteel is sheet ice and cars getting stuck.

“Where are the gritters?”

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Road users are advised of long delays on the Glenshane Pass in both directions due to inclement weather conditions. Please allow extra time for your journey.

"We have received a report of a single-vehicle road traffic collision on Clooney Road, in the vicinity of Eglinton, at 8.20am today. No injuries have been reported at this time."

The Department of Infrastructure have been asked for comment.