A decision was made to reopen the LP4900 local road at Drumgossat with immediate effect, following a meeting today (28 August 2019) between representatives of Monaghan County Council, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency, Irish Public Bodies Ltd., together with mining consultants, Wardell Armstrong and Ove Arup & Partners Ltd.
The road had been closed to public access since December 2018, following the emergence of a crownhole, 35 metres from the roadside. Since then an extensive programme of safety measures has been put in place, including the installation of 8 extensometers to monitor ground conditions along the LP4900. Additional measures will also be put in place in the coming months along the R179 and LP4900 to monitor ground conditions into the future.
Works on demolishing structures above the disused underground mine will commence shortly.
Monaghan County Council apologises to all effected by the road closures, but emphasises that public safety was its prime consideration at all times.