The National Roads Authority says that parts of the new M6 Galway to Ballinasloe Motorway will be opened this evening, following major flooding in the area.

The old N6 Galway/Dublin Rd has been closed at Ballinasloe since the river Suck burst its banks, causing around 200 homes and businesses to flood.

It’s unclear how long the lanes will be opened for – and the NRA is asking motorists to take extra care and be aware that it’s an incomplete motorway.

Hugh Creegan, spokesperson for the NRA, says “By this evening we will have a 25km section opened….extending effectively from Galway and bypassing Craughwell and Loughrea”.

“We also expect to have a second section open which will bypass the town of Ballinasloe – which is also experiencing problems at the moment” he added.