As the clean-up begins following Storm Emma, Clare County Council is urging caution around the county today.
Council teams are out today attempting to clear snow and sludge from the County’s main routes as shops and businesses reopen.
The Council is advising that drifting has occurred in places to depths of up to 600mm and many road are impassable throughout all parts of the county, particularly local roads.
Clare remains under an Orange weather alert and the Road Safety Authority is advising motorists to take care on the roads and to avoid any unnecessary journeys until roads have been cleared.
Useful agency contacts during #StormEmma @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/c60Cqn1OPW
— Clare County Council (@ClareCoCo) March 3, 2018
Clare Gardai say the roads have improved conditions have improved throughout the day and there have been no incidents of note, but are encouraging all commuters to drive at an appropriate speed and to avoid roads that are in bad condition, where possible.
Clare County Council is also advising people to be aware of the danger of snow falling from roofs as a slow thaw sets in.
Senior Engineer with Clare County Council Tom Tiernan has been explaining to Clare FM what work the Council carried out today:
Elsewhere, travel services are returning around the County.
Shannon Airport reopened this morning at 5am but is advising that anyone who intends to travel from there today checks with their airline first.
Bus Eireann services in the County have resumed in part: Route 51 is running between Clare and Cork/Limerick/Galway with some exceptions, while Route 350 which takes in Ennis, Kinvara, Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher has been cancelled. Route 343 which services Ennis to Limerick is also running with some exceptions.
Irish Rail’s service between Ennis and Galway was expected to reopen at 12 noon but will instead remain closed for Saturday and should open on Sunday.
Dublin Coach services have been cancelled Saturday and are expected to resume from Ennis on Sunday morning.
Irish Water is asking all customers to conserve water to avoid reservoirs emptying and water pressure to homes and business being affected. Irish Water says customers with external taps should ensure that these are securely turned off to protect water levels for drinking water.
Some parishes around Clare are reporting cancellations or alterations to their Mass schedule this weekend. For more information contact your local Parish office. However, Bishop Fintan Monahan has released a statement saying there is no obligation to attend Mass this weekend if weather or road conditions make it unsafe, and that Mass is available online or on radio.
