A lorry carrying cargo for Shell, is stuck at the Glenamoy crossroads in north Mayo since this morning and continues to cause severe traffic disruption in the area.

The Glenamoy Road is closed to traffic as a result, as is the Rossport road in both directions.

Some diversions are now in place allowing traffic to travel between Belmullet and Ballycastle.

Gardai in Belmullet are advising that for motorists travelling between Ballycastle and Belmullet – diversions are in place for light vans and cars. However, buses and HGVs cannot get through.

The road is likely to remain closed to traffic for some time.

The lorry is part of a convoy of lorries transporting Shell’s tunnel boring machine, a huge drilling apparatus, by road.

It’s estimated that the load on the lorry that is stuck could be as heavy as 160 tonne.

Shell issued a short statement confirming that the intersection at Glenamoy is blocked saying a large truck carrying part of the tunnel boring machine for the onshore pipeline element of the Corrib gas project has had difficulty negotiating the turn close to Glenamoy bridge.The company concludes saying the situation is being assessed and there will be an update when further information becomes available.