Floods force closure of key tourist route near Avoca

Floodwaters have undermined a key regional road near Avoca in Co Wicklow, exposing ESB cables and cutting off water supplies to Avoca village.

One side of the R752 including a footpath and boundary wall collapsed, revealing a stream under the road which drains from high ground around the former Avoca mines.

Debris from the collapse fell into the Avoca river, leaving the foundations of the road exposed, while the surface appeared to be held together by little more than tarmacadam.

Tour buses

The affected area is just north of Avoca between the village and popular tourist destination at The Meetings of The Waters. It is also the main route from Avoca to Rathdrum and Wicklow Town and is extensively used by tour buses coming from The Meetings and Glendalough.

Tracy Kelly of Fitzgerald’s pub in Avoca – made famous in the television series Ballykissangel – said efforts were being made to contact tour buses bringing visitors from Glendalough. Visitors to the nearby Avoca woollen mill also use the route.

Wicklow County Council has closed the road until further notice. The council was unavailable for comment but the route is expected to be closed for at least a week.