COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Friday, December 18, 2020

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor Alan Hayes

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed update on works completed and planned at the old King John's Bridge at Esker in Lucan.

REPLY:

As detailed in several motions and questions presented at previous Area Committee Meetings, a condition assessment identified that there were two large sycamore roots imbedded in the bridge structure at King Johns Bridge.  It was recommended by the Consultant Conservation Engineer in agreement with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer that further advice be sought from a specialist botanist and that treatment of the roots would be required immediately.

During 2019 a number of treatments were injected into the sycamore roots which started the initial decay, however further assessment during May/June 2019 concluded that a further two injections were required.  Unfortunately, due to the large sycamore roots and the impact they are having on the bridge structure remedial repair and conservation works have not been achievable to date.

A further assessment of the roots was carried out at the end of September 2019 by the Consultant Conservation Engineer and the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and it was decided that another injection was needed.  This was planned for the end of October 2019.  However due to bad weather conditions at the time, the specialist botanist was unable to complete a treatment.  It was decided at the time it was beneficial to wait until early spring 2020 to assess the roots and to identify any new sycamore growth for additional treatment.

A site meeting was planned for March 2020 which had to be postponed due to Covid restrictions.  A meeting took place at the end of July 2020 between the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and Consultant Conservation Engineer to inspect the rate of root decay and to discuss how best to progress with required works. 

On foot of the site meeting an updated condition report was completed and submitted by the Consultant Conservation Engineer early September 2020.  Another site meeting took place mid-September 2020 to discuss the updated report, recommendations and agree on a scope of work.  The Conservation Engineer is currently preparing tender documents for issuing early in the new year.   The engagement of conservation contractors will be the next step in commencing remedial conservation repair works in approx. March/April 2021, when the weather conditions are more favourable for conservation works and the use of traditional lime mortar.