Roadworks on very busy road in the Midlands set to go on for another week as work not completed on schedule

The almost month-long closure of the Portlaoise - Mountmellick road is set to continue beyond the date when road works were due to have been completed.

Laois County Council has confirmed that the busy stretch of the N80 national route will be closed for one additional week up to and including Friday, August 25.

The extension of temporary road closure notices says the road will continue to be closed between the Kyletalesha landfill near Portlaoise to Derrycloney on the outskirts of Mountmellick.

The 24-hour closure will remain in place, as has been the case, for 'pavement works'. The work commenced on the N80 on July 17 and was due to have been completed by August 18.

An extensive diversion route remains which diverts traffic via the Dublin Road toward Portarlington before diverting via Emo and The Rock.

The roads project, for which Laois County Council has received significant funding, is one of three that has caused significant disruption to traffic in Portlaoise through the summer. 

It has also impacted cross-country traffic as it runs from Offaly to Wexford and links into other national routes and motorways in different counties.

Its new completion date will cut it fine for Electric Picnic revellers which stars on September 1 just a week later.