THE RIVER DARGLE FLOOD DEFENCE SCHEME [PHOTOGRAPHED APRIL 2017]-126904

I had planned to visit Bray at least twice a year but I failed to maintain this schedule which is a pity but to be honest, with one exception, not much has changed since my last visit. The flood defence project is the exception because the is no doubting the fact that progress has been made since my last visit but considering that it started back in 2012 I am sure that many locals are less than impressed.

 

The River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme is one of the key capital investment projects by Wicklow County Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) with an investment of €40 million.

 

Works on site have been ongoing since 2012. The main contractor was SIAC construction Ltd. who were on site for two years before the company went into examinership. The contract was terminated by agreement following conciliation resulting construction activities effectively being suspended since November 2013.

 

Wicklow County Council is now continuing the construction with Tom Foley Management Ltd taking on the role of Construction Management Service Provider and back in July 2014, works recommenced on the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.

 

To date a number of stages have been completed or are ongoing but unfortunately I do not have exact details. However, my photographs may give you some idea as to what has been accomplished to date

 

The original purpose of the scheme was to protect the town of Bray from flooding from the River Dargle. The Works consisted of the design and construction of flood defences, river widening and regrading along the lower reaches of the River Dargle. The works extended over approximately 3.3 km of the river from the N11 Bridge to the DART Harbour Bridge. The flood defences were required to provide protection against a 1 in 100 year fluvial flood and 1 in 200 year tidal flood. The Works also included the design and construction of 7mx4m culvert adjacent to Bray Bridge, the only vehicular bridge in Bray Town [I did not know that], to act as a fourth arch to the bridge.

 

The Scheme comprised of a variety of flood defences including construction of new sections of earth embankments, demolition and rebuilding of river walls with extensive stone and timber/timber-type facing, channel excavation and regrading, and river bank strengthening. A range of landscape treatments in and adjacent to the river are proposed to mitigate the impacts of the scheme on the local environment along the river corridor.

 

If anyone from Bray wishes to comment please to do so.

Done