County Roscommon road to close 'in the interest of public safety'

A section of a busy County Roscommon road threatened by flooding is to close for an unspecified period of time “in the interest of public safety”.

This evening Roscommon County Council announced that the R-362 at Coolnageer, Curraghboy, would close from tomorrow for “the minimum period necessary”. Emergency Services and local access only will be accommodated.

A diversion route on the N-63, R-357, R-363 has been put in place and the council warned that there “may be an increased likelihood of delays on these roads as a consequence”.

"Due to ongoing flooding adjacent to Lough Funshinagh in the townland of Coolnageer, it is necessary to close the R-362 from Lysterfield to Curraghboy," the council said. "Local access shall be in place and diversions will be sign posted between Athleague and Curraghboy."

The situation on the road has deteriorated rapidly, with flood waters encroaching on the route. There are now three roads locally closed due to flooding from Lough Funshinagh.

Earlier today, Roscommon County Councillor Laurence Fallon said that water from Lough Funshinagh had now spilled into Carrick, Curraghboy, "where it is now threatening homes as well as the main Rahara to Curraghboy road".

“This is a low-lying area and the situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly as the area lies around one metre lower than the current level of Lough Funshinagh, which means there is no possibility that the water will stop flowing into that location,” he said.

“Lough Funshinagh is now out of control and it was inevitable that the flooding would extend due to the continued inaction of Government. This is further proof of the ongoing crisis,” stated Cllr Fallon.

The "only solution" now was to remove a significant quantity of water from the lake immediately followed by the rapid implementation of a permanent solution, he said.

For more information, click here.