COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor A.M. Dermody

"That this Council report back on the progress made since this Committee last meet with regard to Prospect Manor footbridge.  In essence, it was agreed in principle, at the last meeting of this Committee that if there wasn’t real and substantial progress, by which I mean, that the necessary consent of Fisheries Ireland to commence the remedial works then the Manager would consider opening the wall on a temporary basis at Springvale.  Is it reasonable having regard to how Fisheries Ireland have in the past dealt with similar queries that the necessary consent from Fisheries Ireland to commence the said works will be forthcoming?" 

REPORT:

As reported to the November Rathfarnham Area Committee Meeting, detailed proposals were expected from the developer's consulting engineer by Friday 23rd November 2012. The proposals were to set out the detail and specification for the works required to underpin the central support pillar. The detailed proposals were required in order for Inland Fisheries Ireland to assess the works in the context of an application for permission to carry out works in the river. 

Proposals have been received from the developer for remedial works to the bridge. The developer's engineer, in reviewing the design of the bridge and, having regard to the issues involved in working in the river, has proposed an alternative solution which involves constructing an additional support on the open space under the bridge. The merit of this proposal is that it would not involve working in the river at this time and would enable remedial works to be carried out relatively quickly to enable the bridge to be re-opened for public use.

The County Architect has arranged a meeting with the consulting engineer to clarify a number of technical points following which the Council will seek expert independent structural engineering advice on the proposed works.

On the basis that the independent advice confirms that the proposed works are feasible, the developer will be requested to arrange the remedial works at the earliest opportunity and provide a timeline for completion.