Severe floods plunge nation into disarray
No way in or out of rural towns as roads shut and services stopped
Liam Kehoe waist deep in water with his new house flooded in the backround at Caherlea, near Claregalway, Co Galway, yesterday
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Monday November 23 2009
MOTORISTS and public transport users can expect a day of chaos today with roads closed in 12 counties and bus and train services badly affected.
Roads are closed and entire villages rendered impassable because of flood waters which are unlikely to subside over the coming days as more rainfall is forecast.
Last night Iarnrod Eireann said that the Limerick to Ennis line re-opened at 4pm, but that flooding between Ballinasloe and Athlone had forced the company to close the Dublin to Galway line.
Bus transfers are operating again between Galway and Athlone due to flooding, with bus transfers also in place between Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon on the Sligo line.
Although the Wicklow to Arklow line has reopened following a landslide last week, Arklow to Gorey remains closed for embankment strengthening. Bus transfers from Gorey to Arklow or Wicklow are now in place.
All other routes are operating normally. Further information is available at www.irishrail.ie or by calling 1850-366-222.
Bus Eireann said that Galway to Dublin services had resumed on the unfinished M6 motorway, and while services were running to the normal timetable with buses leaving Galway every hour, some delays should be expected.
Diverted
In Cork, the west of the city is still badly flooded so the Number 8 (St Patrick Street to Bishoptown) is diverted and will experience delays. The 234 Cork-Stuake, 235 Cork-Rylane and 255 Macroom-Kilcrohane via Bantry have been cancelled due to road conditions.
All Expressway services from Cork are operating. AA Roadwatch said that roads in 12 counties were closed, with lengthy diversions in place.
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent
