COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

QUESTION NO.8

QUESTION: Councillor R. Mannion

To ask the Manager for update on Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme, how the scheme is progressing and timelines for completion of works please.

REPLY:

Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme, received the relevant permissions to proceed in November 2022.  

Stage 1 from St Endas Park to St Gatiens Court commenced in May 2023 and completed in September 2024.

Stage 2 works from St Gatien’s Court to 1-5 Whitechurch Stream commenced in Q1 2024, with the construction of the defence walls from St Gatiens Court to St Enda’s Drive.  Works included the provision of a trash screen at the inlet to a culvert.  Areas of invasive species have been identified and will be removed as part of the works.  Works on defence walls at 1-5 Whitechurch Stream has recently been completed with landscaping works currently being finalised. Remaining works will be completed by Q3 2025  

Stage 3 works from Willbrook Lawn to Willbrook Road will commence in Q1 2025, starting with the tree removal. Areas of invasive species have been identified and will be removed as part of the works. Left bank strengthening works will commence in Q2 2025 in line with Inland Fisheries Ireland seasonal requirements.  Once the necessary tree removal and treatment of invasive species is complete, the full scope of remedial works to existing boundary works will be determined.  It is anticipated works on the wall will take 12 -15 months.

It should be noted the works to deliver this project is challenging.  The site is constrained by private properties and existing infrastructure.  Prior to the work staring on site, the full scope of works is difficult to determine until the necessary removal of vegetation and invasive species completed.  Once vegetation is removed, surveys have identified additional works to existing walls and have required changes in the work programme.  At all times, every effort is being made by SDCC and the OPW to minimise the impact on residents, business owners and road users, whilst ensuring the overall proposed benefit to the completed scheme is not compromised.

Despite the challenges, works has been progressing well, with expected completion date of June 2026.