Stay off the roads to let rescue vehicles through, warns Kildare County Council

Kildare County Council has asked pedestrians to stay off the roads as they are creating an obstruction for emergency vehicles trying to get through ice and snow.

"Pedestrians walking on roads are impeding rescue vehicles and causing these vehicles to leave the road. The public are requested to stay off the roads," the council said in a statement this afternoon.

KCC's crisis management team and severe weather assessment team had a further meeting to discuss Storm Emma operations at 3pm today, Friday.

Some 30 tractor powered ploughs have been attempting to clear the regional roads throughout Kildare since first light this morning. Many roads are still treacherous, according to KCC, however salting was planned to commence, where possible, at 4.30pm this evening.

Defence Forces staff in conjunction with Kildare County Council staff are attempting to clear footpaths and entrances leading to critical services such as the hospitals.

The council warns that snow accumulations will continue to increase significantly across the country this evening, due to expected further heavy falls of snow. The Status Red snow-ice warning will remain in place until at least 9am on Saturday morning.

"It is emphasised that conditions are and will remain very difficult and dangerous and the public are advised not to travel, TO KEEP OFF THE ROADS AND TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE HIGH LEVELS OF CAUTION for their own safety in the extreme cold, accumulated snow and icy conditions underfoot," reiterated the statement.