COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor Alan Hayes

Can the chief executive provide a clear breakdown on the money spent to date on works at King John's Bridge, Lucan and how much of the allocated €30,000 from participative budgeting funds is remaining.

REPLY:

Please see breakdown of King Johns Bridge Project cost to date. An allocation of €20,000 from the ‘Have Your Say’ Participatory budget was provided for conservation repairs to the existing single arched stone bridge (ruin) located within Griffeen Park, Esker.

Consultant Fees - Consultant Conservation Engineer – Total fees €17, 466.00 (Inc. Vat) which includes the following services:

(i) Treatment of the existing sycamore roots under the guidance of a specialist botanist will be carrying out this work to an agreed method statement. An allowance for 2-3 applications of SBK herbicide are allowed for with the subsequent removal from the bridge of the existing branches and tree shoots. The remaining tree roots will remain in situ and be allowed to decay prior to their removal to our specification by the specialist stone contractor.

(ii) Preparation of plan and laser survey drawings of the bridge and perimeter of the bridge.

Specialist 3D laser surveying will be used for surveying the bridge in order to accurately

measure and record the masonry arrangement of the elements forming the bridge.

(iii) Preparation and documentation of the condition of the bridge structure following the

initial removal of the sycamore growth. Condition survey drawings will be compiled for

this work.

(iv) Preparation of remedial works drawings to the structure of the bridge for pricing by a

specialist conservation contractor. This will include a specification for the type of repair

mortar proposed for the works and replacement/ resetting of stone as required.

(v) Review and Agreement of Proposed Works Drawings with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer.

(vi) Preparation of a Preliminary Health & Safety Plan.

(vii) Issue of Agreed Tender Documents to the specialist stone conservation

contractors.

(viii) Appointment of specialist stone Contractor by SDCC following review of Tenders.

(ix) Preparation of Safety File by PSDP.

€6,986.40 (Inc. vat) has been paid to consultant conservation engineer (40% Due on completion of items (i) to (iii) and the rest of fees due when items (iv) to (ix) as set out in fee proposal are completed.

Additional treatment of sycamore roots is required – Confirmed with conservation engineer that no further payment is required for another 2 treatments), however any additional treatments will require further fees and if vegetation/site clearance or opening up works are required then this will be additional (estimated €6,000-€10,000). 

Rest of consultancy fees will be due for next items set out in fee proposal payable at €10,479.60 (Inc. vat). Tender documents and specification for works, can only be completed depending on decay of roots as this will inform the proposed schedule of works, in order to fully complete this project. Estimated overall cost of remedial repair and conservation works is unknow until full scope of works are identified and agreed – 2020 budget. Total spend to date amounts to €6,986.00.