Ward & Burke was appointed as Main Contractor and PSCS to this project.
The River Feagle and Clonakilty Bay were identified as a Special Protected Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a designated salmonid river. Works comprised of two main elements: a flood storage area, upstream of the town, to protect against fluvial flooding; and new piled/RC flood defence walls through Clonakilty, amidst narrow streets, numerous listed and protected and ‘at risk’ structures with multiple difficult access points.
The river network is designated a salmonoid river and therefore subject to significant constraints. River flow management during the works involved over-pumping, fluming, diversions, etc. Sediment management of diverted flows throughout, was critical. Systems of work were agreed with Inland Fisheries Ireland in advance of construction .
The works were undertaken over an 18-month period. Weather monitoring and flow management was a feature during the construction. In fact, there were 6 major flood events where, heretofore, Clonakilty would have flooded. Construction methods and temporary works procedures adopted over an 18-month construction period delivered on the overall contract intent – i.e., to deliver a ‘flood free’ Clonakilty. Reinstating the river channel post construction was carefully undertaken in conjunction with Inland Fisheries and included many additional features to accommodate fish species.
