COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

HEADED ITEM NO. 15

REPAIR OF RIVER BANKS UPSTREAM OF FOOTBRIDGE AT GLENBROOK PARK

The Consulting Engineers, Roughan & O'Donovan, that were engaged by the Roads Department to repair the undermined Glenbrook footbridge on the Owendoher River had their brief extended to carry out a "Visual Inspection of the Owendoher Riverbank between the Otterbrook Bridge and the Glenbrook Bridge" in early 2012 and submitted their report in February 2012. Their main findings  were:-

1.  Major scour related damage to the riverbank downstream of the weir which is just downstream of the Otterbrook Bridge leading to collapse of the walls on both sides of the river.

2.  An overturned tree, growing in the west bank of the river has fallen over and is currently being propped in place by the Ballyboden Road boundary wall on the east side approximately halfway between both bridges.

3.  Erosion and undermining, possibly associated with the road drainage system may have significantly weakened the roadside boundary wall at approx. 56 metres downstream of the Otterbrook Bridge.

In relation to item 2 above, the Drainage Section engaged a Tree Surgeon in May 2012 to remove the top branches of the lopsided tree mentioned so that if it did fall it would avoid damaging Ballyboden Road, footpath and boundary wall and more importantly any pedestrian, cyclist or motorist.

Unfortunately funding for the repair of the Glenbrook Bridge was denied to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) by the OPW under their Minor Works Schemes and the funds for these works had to found within the Council's overall budget for 2012. There are no more funds in SDCC's 2012 budget to carry out repair works between Glenbrook and Otterbrook Bridges on the Owendoher River's banks. Hopefully funds may be found in 2013 to carry out this work.