Emergency repairs which prompted Daingean road closure 'could last until October'

A road repair project which has caused the closure of the Derrygowley road in Daingean over recent months may not be completed until "September or October," a local councillor has been told.

Fianna Fáil's Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said he had been contacted by numerous residents from the Daingean area regarding the ongoing closure of the Derrygowley Road, which was due to infrastructural damage of a local bridge at the edge of the town.

Offaly County Council advertised the road closure, and published a diversion route map online, in mid-May, saying the closure was "for the purpose of essential road repairs".

Cllr Fitzpatrick said this week that he had contacted the area engineer in the council for an update, but had been told it "could be September or October" before the works would be completed.

"I stressed the importance of having this road reopened to the public and especially before the schools reopen by the end of August," said the local representative.

"I will continue to seek a quick resolution to this situation by keeping pressure on Offaly County Council and the area office in Edenderry," concluded Cllr Fitzpatrick.