A notoriously steep hill in Armagh city centre became “like an ice-rink” last week during a spell of cold weather, resulting in several people suffering “serious” falls.
A member of staff at a nearby business contacted Armagh I after learning of some six or seven people who had slipped coming down Market Square between over a three-day period recently.
The steep hill – which runs from Market Street to Castle Street – can be an anxious descent during the best of weather, however, during last week’s frost the staff member said it became an “ice rink” when it was left unsalted.
Describing one fall, the man said: “One woman who fell had to sit on a step for around 15 minutes before she was able to move. Two people had to assist her when she was finally able to get up.”
The man recalled the hill used to be gritted by Council but for many years it has been left unsalted during cold weather.
He added that in those most recent years, members of the public and local business owners have tried to salt it themselves but, he felt, the Council should ultimately be the responsible body for making the high-footfall area safe for shoppers and residents alike.
A spokesperson for ABC Council explained that Council staff would normally grit the steps from Castle Street down to and outside the Market Place Theatre.
However, there does not seem to be any additional gritting measures for the square itself beyond the steps.
For this reason, members of the public would be advised to use the stairway along the front of the cinema to the top of the hill – and vice versa – during periods of ice and snow to ensure their own safety.
