Kildare farmers needed to help clear roads after Storm Emma

That's one way to get to the shops! One intrepid customer took this 70-year-old Massey 30 to the Tesco in Clane this afternoon. Picture: Brian McHugh

placeholder image — That's one way to get to the shops! One intrepid customer took this 70-year-old Massey 30 to the Tesco in Clane this afternoon. Picture: Brian McHugh

Kildare County Council issues appeal to farmers to help clear roads

Kildare County Council has issued an appeal for the county's farmers to come out and help them clear roads in the aftermath of Storm Emma.

Eighteen Kildare County Council trucks, 30 tractor powered ploughs a number of JCB’s and other machines have been attempting to clear the regional roads and other strategic routes throughout Kildare since first light this morning.

Many roads are still treacherous, according to a Council statement this evening - however salting will commence, where possible, at around 8pm this evening and there will possibly be a further run later in the night, depending on temperatures.

"Kildare County Council also welcomes the assistance of the farming community and other qualified machinery operators in our attempts to re-open impassible routes. Assistance is particularly required in the Rathangan area and throughout North Kildare.

"Defence Forces staff in conjunction with Kildare County Council staff are attempting to clear footpaths and entrances leading to critical services such as the hospitals."

Kildare people are still being asked to conserve water, especially in the Monasterevin area, as reservoirs are under pressure due to unexpected demand. There was a water outage in Celbridge earlier today.