Icy paths a concern

However, while the roads are gritted can the same be said for pedestrian areas? The MAIL has been investigating.

One local trader said: “Customers have found walking around particularly bad, Moore’s Lane is like an ice rink there is a doctors' surgery and a chemists there and the surgery have had to clear their own path, it's a worry for elderly people who can’t afford to fall.”

According to ‘MAIL’ sources a lady was injured at Lurgan Cemetery before the holidays - she broke her wrist and suffered from concussion due to icy conditions that were not treated.

Another passer-by told the ‘MAIL’: “I saw three council workers standing around this morning with brushes, clearing the road while the footpath was like glass, it's a joke, why are the council not doing something? “

The feeling amongst local people is one of caution and a frustration on who is supposed to treat these walkways, local traders have also expressed concern that the bad weather has affected their business, one trader said: “ It’s been a lot quieter than normal, if people don’t need to go out then they won’t go.”

Some traders also described the slippery and icy conditions which faced them as they prepared their shops for business, setting up, they said, was very difficult.

A spokesperson for the Roads Service told the ‘MAIL’: “During periods of sub-zero temperatures and snow, Roads Service resources are prioritised on ensuring the main road networks, which caters for 80% of traffic, are gritted and teams of workers have been tirelessly working day and night to ensure that these have been kept open.

"Roads Service is also replenishing rural grit piles and salt bins which have been placed at hills, bends or junctions for areas not on the main roads network.”

"Roads Service policy does not extend to gritting footpaths."