Athlone's Church Street has just this afternoon been closed to traffic.

BREAKING: Traffic barriers are now up on Church Street

The closure of Church Street in Athlone for a seven-week period has commenced this afternoon.

The closure is designed to allow for resurfacing at the top of Griffith Street and Dublingate Street as part of the €3m enhancement plan for Church Street.

The location of the work, at the top of Griffith Street, means an alternative route for east-west traffic via Griffith Street, The Strand and Custume Place is not possible.

As a result there will be no through traffic on Church Street for seven weeks.