Road to remain closed over public safety concerns
Lower Charles Street in Castlebar will remain closed in the coming days following a gas explosion at a restaurant over a week ago which has caused major disruptions to the flow of traffic in the town.
The gas explosion occurred at Tulsi, a popular Indian restaurant, last Sunday week around 8.30pm and two men were sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The building sustained substantial structural damage and following inspections by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Gardaí, insurance assessors and the Castlebar Municipal District structural engineer, there are serious concerns over the risk of an uncontrolled collapse of the building.
An update given to local councillors following these inspections raised concerns that the tall front facade of the building could potentially collapse onto both lanes of the street and the decision was therefore made to keep the full road and footpaths closed to protect the public.
There are currently discussions ongoing with the owner of the building to find a solution to make the building safe to allow the road to reopen. This has been made difficult given the location of the building and the nature of the damage but it is understood that further discussions will be held on Tuesday around a potential methodology.
It would take a few days to implement these mitigation works and it will likely take towards the end of this week for the road to be reopened.
Cllr Ger Deere said the impact on traffic caused by the closure of Lower Charles Street is evident but they have to follow the advice of the authorities.
“This is causing a lot of traffic chaos around the town. We could see that all week and particularly on Sunday with the match in MacHale Park but we have to take on all safety advice given by the relevant authorities,” he said.
“I would ask that people plan their journeys coming in and out of town in advance and I have asked that better signage be erected on all approach roads into the town warning motorists to avoid using Lower Charles Street."
