Crews have been closing roads where it is unsafe to keep them open to traffic and are continuing to assess the network and place diversion routes in place.
In south Co. Carlow Sinn Féin Councillor Andy Gladney told the Irish Independent: “A lot of the roads are in very, very bad condition, they wouldn’t be safe to be using, I’d been on some of them early last week during the heavy rains and they’re literally like muck.”
Cllr Gladney said the damage caused by flooding and Storm Chandra is so extensive that he believes Carlow County Council will have to ask the government for help funding the reconstruction of the roads as the budget set by the council for 2026 would not be enough to cover the cost.
People Before Profit Councillor Adrienne Wallace said: “Speaking to residents living along the River Burrin, there is obviously still quite a lot of anxiety about what the next few days will look like as more rain is forecast. There has also been a number of road closures, particularly in south Carlow where there is significant damage done to roads.
“The local authority will need millions to fix these roads and to install flood prevention measures across areas worst impacted however, I was worried when Micheál Martin recently said there was “no magic wand” for flood relief.”
Flooding on Ballincarrig Road, Quinnagh, Co. Carlow
Today’s News in 90 – Thursday February 5
She added: “There might not be a magic wand per say but there is a €13 billion rainy day fund and it is quite literally raining in Carlow, this money must be utilised to protect homes and livelihoods.”
Carlow County Council have been in contact with Government officials and the Department of Transport throughout last week and indeed over the weekend to highlight the difficulties and advise of their need for emergency funding.
As closures remain in place, Carlow County Council have asked the public for their continued patience as they carry out emergency closures to safe guard road users and to not cross ‘road closed’ signs.
Many of the roads closed are local roads with low traffic volumes however the council have said they are “very conscious” that these routes serve as the only route for many rural residents and businesses and are vital. Staff are assessing these routes to identify those with vulnerable residents, school bus routes and access requirements for milk lorries and other essential services.
Many of the roads damaged will require significant works, including full reconstruction in some cases and in the interim, the council intends to reduce roads to single carriageway using traffic lights or yield signage where possible to avoid damaged areas but keep route open.
Clearly signed diversion routes are being provided in areas where roads must remain closed pending full repair while some roads may be closed to through traffic, local access will be maintained where possible to whatever extent possible for local access only as a cul de sac pending repairs (diversions will be put in place for through traffic).
Damage to Carlow road as a result of extreme saturation from heavy rainfall and flooding
Severely damaged roads will remain closed, however provisions are being set out for access to residential properties and farm access though limited to local residents only, pending full road reinstatement.
Additional roads which have been closed to traffic due to structural damage include the L 3007 Ballymurphy to Marley at Ballyglisheen, L70631 Ballybeg to Slievedurra,
L7027-22 Knocksquire and the L7045 Tomduff.
Crews are assessing issues on the Glynn to St Mullins section of the regional road and traffic lights will likely be used here to bring traffic to one way to manage section of failure while the L30088 Dranagh, St. Mullins will likely be closed once crew reaches the location.
Closures pending substantial reconstruction in the Tullow Municipal District include the L6009 Vermont, Constable Hill, L20075 Killalongford on Carlow Wicklow border, L7020 Ballinrush Hill between Myshall and Lismaconnolly.
Residents in Muinebheag Municipal District can anticipate closures pending substantial reconstruction to the L-70241 Drumphea to Rathnagerra, L-7027-22 Dunroe to Cashel, L-3007 Ballybeg to Goolin, L-7024 Drumphea to Knockendrain, Drummond to St. Mullins, L70402 Spahill, The Three Bridges at Glynn to Ballycrigan, L 3007 Ballymurphy to Marley at Ballyglisheen, L70631 Ballybeg to Slievedurra, L7027-22 Knocksquire and L7045 Tomduff.
Temporary closures due to flooding are in place for L-7008 Garryhill to Rahenwood and Tinnahinch to St. Mullins while Castle Quay in Graigecullen, Carlow Municipal District remains closed due to flooding.
Please report all issues to roadsoffice@carlowcoco.ie. Please include Name, address, eircode and contact numbers for those affected.