Council Christmas road salting plans

Offaly County Council has released its road salting plans for the festive season. Routes countywide have been prioritised into three categories, with routine maintenance treatment scheduled when frost and ice are forecast as far as resources allow. The council has warned however that the inclusion of a route as a priority in council plans does not guarantee it will be frost and ice free at all times, and motorists should at all times drive with due care at a speed appropriate to conditions. Motorists are also advised to avoid unnecessary travel in adverse weather conditions, but to perhaps take into consideration roads listed for treatment when planning necessary journeys in bad weather. The N62 is listed for treatment from Offaly's county boundary between Birr and Roscrea through Cloghan, Ferbane and Doon and on to where it exits the county. The N52 is to be treated similarly countywide from west of Birr through to Tullamore and on to Kilbeggan. The N80 is also to be treated countywide from its entrance to Offaly near Killeigh through Tullamore, Clara and onwards towards Moate. Other high priority routes include the M7 and R445 around Moneygall and Dunkerrin, as well as the R446, which intersects the N80 near Clara and runs to Kilbeggan. Priority 2 routes include the R439 from just outside Birr to Banagher, the roads in and around Tullamore town, the R420 from Tullamore to Geashill, Cloneygowan and Portarlington as well as the R402 that travels from a few miles outside Tullamore to Ballinagar, Daingean and on to Edenderry. The R357 from Cloghan to Blueball is also included in salting plans, as is the old road through Mucklagh village, the R436 from Clara to Kilbeggan, the R421 from Tullamore to Killurin and the L02025 from Tullamore to Ballinagar through Cappincur. The R423 from the south west of Portarlington to the county boundary will also be salted, as will the R419 from Portarlington to Bracknagh. The R400 from its county boundary through Rhode and Mount Lucas will also be salted, as well as the R419 it meets, the R401 and the R441. The R442 around Clonbullogue will also be treated. A map of red, blue and green priority routes is available on www.offaly.ie, as well as more information and updates.