Road closure in East Meath to facilitate ‘much needed’ flood relief works
Residents and commuters in East Meath are being advised of upcoming traffic disruption as Eastham Road is set to close to facilitate essential flood prevention and infrastructure upgrade works.
The closure will take effect from 9am on Monday, October 6 until 6pm on Friday, November 7, as part of the final phase of the Northlands Flood Relief Scheme.
In a statement issued to councillors, the Council’s Environment Section confirmed that Bus Éireann services will continue to operate from Whitefield and Triton Road, although the bus stop on Eastham Road will remain closed for the duration of the works.
Matthews Bus Service will follow diversion routes, while the school bus provider has also confirmed services can continue, with access to Northlands maintained.
Local and pedestrian access will remain open at all times, with access to Tigers Childcare Creche available via the official diversion route.
The Council spokesperson acknowledged the disruption the works may cause.
They said: “We understand this work may cause some disruption to workers and commuters, and we’re conscious of the impacts it presents.”
“This road closure is required to provide much needed flood prevention and infrastructure upgrade works for the benefit of the whole area, but our aim is to help minimise the impact as much as possible.”
Local councillor Sharon Tolan expressed her support for the project, while recognising the inconvenience to the community.
She said: “I have been working in the background with engineers responsible for these flood prevention works. I have been assured that as soon as it is possible to reopen one lane, the contractor will do so.”
“I know the inconvenience this will cause, but I have stood in people’s homes that have flooded, I have carried sand bags during storms and seen the distress and damage that flooding has caused.”
“ I will not in good conscience object to this closure. I will continue to work on delivering the rest of the flood prevention work that we so desperately need here in East Meath.”
The works are expected to deliver long-term benefits by reducing flood risks in the area, following years of local concerns about storm damage and water management.