Drivers should take care on flood-damaged roads

Drivers in the east of the country have been urged to exercise caution on the roads as the clean-up following this week's floods…

Drivers in the east of the country have been urged to exercise caution on the roads as the clean-up following this week's floods continues.

Mr Kevin Stewart, secretary of Meath County Council, said yesterday all the main roads in the area were clear, but some minor roads had been damaged.

He advised drivers to avoid the Herbertstown road off the Fairyhouse road, where segments of the roadway have been washed away, and the Moyglare-Kilcock road, which is also damaged.

A spokesman at the Department of the Environment yesterday confirmed that newspaper advertisements would be used to inform people about the details of the Government's humanitarian package for communities and individuals that have suffered flood damage.

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Met Eireann has forecast more rain tomorrow and for the weekend. However, the severe flooding of last weekend is not expected.

Mr Charlie Talbot, spokesman for Kildare County Council, said repairs had begun on the "huge crater" caused by flooding on the Clane-Celbridge road, and the route was now passable.

However, he also urged drivers to exercise caution due to silt on the roads.

A spokeswoman for Iarnrod Eireann said no services operated to or from Arklow or Rosslare yesterday because of coastal flooding.

However, most services in and out of Heuston Station which had been disrupted by flooding at Hazelhatch resumed. The Dublin-Waterford train service also resumed yesterday, but bus transfers were in operation from Kilkenny due to continued flooding in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

Stena Line said its three high-speed sailings from Dublin to Holyhead were cancelled yesterday because of high winds.

A spokeswoman for Irish Ferries said gales on the Irish Sea meant its three high-speed return services to Holyhead were also cancelled, but services from Rosslare were unaffected. She predicted the high-speed sailings would resume today.