Derek HigginsEngineer, Operations

Overview of presentation

Brief Background to Waterways Ireland

Why did this project arise?

How was it implemented?

What did it achieve?

Brief Background Waterways Ireland manages the Grand Canal

Part of Ireland’s Inland Waterway Network

Management, maintenance, restoration and development principally for recreation purposes

Multi-Agency Project

Main Drivers

Pop. 50k

16kProp. SDZ

Bus.Park Pop.

45k

Bus.Park

City Centre

Main Drivers 110kV Infrastructural power supply to Grange Castle,

Park West and Clonburris

Twin Circuit to allow for future network development

Development of canal as amenity and leisure area

Development of cycle network

Why use the canal for services?

Less existing utility services to divert/interact with

Less disruption to traffic

Safer working area

Cost savings

Implementation Steering Group Formed

SDCC, ESB, DCC, WI (Funding Split)

Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates appointed as design and project management consultancy

Kilwex Civil Engineering successful tenderer for main construction contract

To build…. 8.5 kilometres of cycle path

To build…. 8.5 kilometres of cycle path 4 Canal Crossings Access ramps from bridges Toucan Crossings at roadways Access gates and barriers Over 300 lamp standards 66 CCTV Cameras 19 Joint Chambers for installation of ESB Services 3 Jetties with canoe steps Over 200 Signs 2,600m of Fencing & Berms Planting of over 1000 trees, 4400 shrubs Burying 12 otter holts and hanging 16 bat boxes Fishing Stands And more...

Surface improved for Recreational Users (Cyclists & Pedestrians)

Surface improved for Commuting cyclists

Canal Crossings

Canal Crossings 4 Crossings altogether

From Inchicore 220kV Substation

To Park West

To Clonburris

To Lucan/Adamstown

CCTV 66 cameras - 24hr monitored

Speakers for communication from security

Reduction in vandalism & dumping

Increased personal safety (perceived or real)

Increased willingness for boats to travel through area

Improved Access Links 8 Access ramps from high level roads to canal

Access Ramps 1:20 ramps with rest areas

Toucan Crossings

Public Lighting Encourage use of the cycle path in winter mornings/evenings

Bat surveys carried out Following species identified:

Common Pipistrelle Soprano Pipistrelle Nathusius’s Pipistrelle Brown Long-eared Leisler’s Daubenton’s

Recommendations: Limited Height & Strength (Low lux) Targeted downwards Not illuminating water surface (Daubenton’s Bat)

Navigation Improvements Jetties with canoe step

Quay style walls under bridges

Winter Maintenance Access

Habitat Improvement As part of environmental mitigation

Otter holts

Bat boxes

Bins & Benches

Information Signage

Access Barriers

How is it working?

No more dumped cars and couches!

How is it working? No more dumped cars and couches Overall success – complete transformation of the area

Bins & Benches– ongoing maintenance issues Path Surface Barriers

Occasional vandalism Would like to leave open but...