Flood defence project wins Engineers Ireland Award

WICKLOW County Council has won the Engineers Ireland Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award 2018 for the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray.

The project was announced as joint winner at the awards ceremony on Friday night in the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin. The Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards recognise the achievements of engineers who have demonstrated exceptional engineering skills through their work.

The River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme is a key infrastructure project completed in October 2017 by Wicklow County Council and the Office of Public Works. The €46m project involved the widening and deepening of the river channel, construction of flood walls and embankments along a 3.3km stretch from Silverbridge at the N11 to the Harbour Bridge at Bray Harbour.

The project included the construction of new sections of earth embankments, demolition and rebuilding of river walls with extensive stone facing, channel excavation, regrading and riverbank strengthening. As well as providing flood defences to protect against a 1-in-100-year fluvial flood and 1-in-200-year tidal flood, the project aimed to regenerate public spaces and transform public amenities making the river accessible to the community.

New and improved amenities for the community include a new park at Ravenswell Road, the new boardwalk, and landscaping and walkways at the People’s Park and Lower Dargle Road.

Tom Foley Management Ltd was appointed as Construction Management Services Provider and Wicklow County Council worked closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland throughout the project as the Dargle is a valuable salmon and sea-trout fishery.

‘ This award epitomises our core values of partnership, participation, quality and customer focus,’ said Cllr Pat Vance, cathaoirleach of both Wicklow County Council and Bray Municipal District. ‘A number of parties are to thank for making this happen and it would not have been possible without their dedication and support. ‘Our Town, Our River’ is very much at the heart of Bray, and to this end, this award confirms the excellence that has been achieved in protecting one of the town’s natural resources for the enjoyment of the overall community.’

Greystones South Beach Playground by Wicklow County Council and All Play was also shortlisted in this category.

Bob Wright, TKFM Ltd, representing award sponsors Colas Bitumen Emulsion, presenting the award to Cllr Pat Vance, cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council and Bray Municipal District; Triona Irving, Wicklow County Council; Des O’Brien, River Dargle Flood Defence Steering Group; David Forde, District Administrator for Bray; Marc Devereaux, Wicklow County Council and Liam Bourke, District Engineer for Bray.