DUBLIN: Economist John Simpson said the loss of daily output coupled with the cost of repairing damage caused by the weather could amount to around £28m per day. With a weather warning in force from early yesterday until tomorrow night, the cost could pass £80m.
Snow fell across Northern Ireland for most of yesterday causing traffic carnage and making travelling conditions treacherous, with many workplaces shutting early and sending employees home. More than 300 schools were closed, shops and restaurants pulled down their shutters early and public transport ground to a halt as the cold snap wreaked havoc.
Given Northern Ireland’s already faltering economy, Mr Simpson said the financial cost of the unseasonably late and ferocious winter weather represents a financial loss people here could do without. There was an amber weather alert – meaning possible risk to life and property – for snow across Northern Ireland until 6pm yesterday in counties Armagh, Antrim and Down, with Belfast, Armagh and Newry worst affected. Numerous businesses sent employees home early – in some cases workers didn’t even manage to make to work in the first place – while some rural roads were blocked by deep snow and some remote communities were cut off. The Met Office has confirmed that yellow weather warnings remain in place for the rest of Northern Ireland until tomorrow. Snow cancelled all flight operations at Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon, and there were both cancellations and delays at Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport. Shopping centres and high street stores saw shopper numbers fall mid-week due to the Beast from the East after a promising start, according to Diane Wehrle, Insights Director of Springboard.
