South Drogheda Wastewater Network Reinforcement

Pipelaying works are continuing along The Dale. The 101 steps remain closed to facilitate works, with a signposted pedestrian diversion in place.

R150 Marsh Road closure

To facilitate the construction of a manhole on the Marsh Road, a temporary road closure is required. A road closure has been granted by Louth County Council at the Marsh Road R150, from the junction of South Quay and St Mary’s Bridge to the Mill Road / R150 junction. The road closure will be in place from 8am on Monday 08 July to 5pm on Friday 19 July.

Traffic flows will be diverted during this time with local and emergency services access only. Eastbound traffic will be diverted via Dublin Road R132, Colpe Road and Mill Road. Westbound traffic will be diverted via Mill Road, Colpe Road and Dublin Road R132.

Permanent reinstatement works are planned along the works route. 

Timelines below are indicative and will depend on ground and weather conditions.

The 101 Steps  will be closed for the duration of works at The Dale. A pedestrian diversion will be clearly signposted.
 

The South Drogheda Wastewater Network Reinforcement project is needed to increase the capacity of the wastewater network to a enable social and economic growth, improve operational performance of the wastewater network and to reduce the risk of sewer overflows during heavy rainfall events.

An approximate 500m section of the existing foul gravity sewer will be upgraded and upsized. This section of pipeline starts at Marsh Road at the northern end of The Dale and runs southwards along The Dale, progressing on to the green area behind St Mary's Cottages.  GMC Utilities Group are delivering these works on our behalf.

Figure 1 below illustrates the works location and pipeline installation route (marked in red).

Construction of a temporary access road is required to facilitate sewer pipeline installation works, due to the existing low arch entrance to The Dale.

This road will also greatly minimize disruption to residents of The Dale during construction works. Once construction works are complete, the temporary access road will be removed and the area fully reinstated. Figure 2 illustrates the location of the access road.

A manual Stop and Go System will be in place to maintain traffic flow. Traffic management will be implemented in phases to minimise disruption, commencing at Marsh Road and progressing southwards along The Dale in line with sewer installation works.

Working hours will be 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm on Fridays. Any changes to these working hours will be communicated in advance.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Where footpaths are closed, an alternative pedestrian walkway will be provided.

The 101 Steps at The Dale will be closed for an anticipated period of 4 months. Barriers will be erected to ensure pedestrian safety. A pedestrian diversion will be clearly signposted. Figure 3 below illustrates the planned pedestrian diversion route.

Access to homes along the Dale will be maintained at all times. At times, depending on the current phases of works, vehicular access may be restricted. Alternative parking options nearby are Scotch Hall shopping center and Mary street carpark or on-street parking. 

All emergency services are being consulted with respect to the works, and access for emergency vehicles be maintained at all times. Personnel on the ground will take a proactive approach to assisting emergency services where required.

All deliveries will be accommodated during the works. Businesses along the Marsh Road will be contacted in advance of works commencing to discuss their delivery schedules and requirements. Business owners will be able to contact a member of the team on the ground if assistance is required to accommodate deliveries.

The existing arrangement whereby refuse bins are collected from the Arch will be maintained. GMC Utilities Group will proactively liaise with the relevant waste collection companies to ensure there are no interruptions to refuse collection services.

Yes, the project is subject to archaeological monitoring. Should archaeological material be discovered, we will comply with the requirements of the Archaeologist and the National Monuments Service (NMS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in fully recording the material. 

An archaeological survey was carried out during detailed design stage, and it is worth noting that we are primarily excavating within the existing pipeline corridor, so the land has already been disturbed at this location.

The footpath surface at the 101 Steps is not in scope for this project and therefore will not be replaced as part of the project works.

The road surface will be reinstated 5m either side of the excavated area as conditioned by Louth County Council.

We anticipate removal of spoil and waste materials 4 or 5 times per week. Materials will be taken from the site compound behind Sunnyside Cottages onto the R132 Dublin Road. School pick-up and drop-off times will be avoided.

Health and safety guidelines are adopted into standard procedures. Project phasing has been planned to utilise the summer holidays to minimise disruption to schools and to take advantage of the reduced traffic. Traffic management has adopted pedestrian safety where a diversion route has been provided for the works. Works areas will be segregated with advance warning signs advising of the works. We will continuously review works and associated safety measures with  Louth County Council.

A dedicated project webpage will be available on Uisce Éireann's website which will be updated throughout the duration of the project.

GMC Utilities Group have a full-time Community Liaison Officer on the project. Eimear O'Brien can be contacted at 087 143 3903 or at customerservice@gmcirl.com. Uisce Éireann can be contacted at 1800 278 278.

Proactive communications will be issued with respect to any planned water outages, with vulnerable water users and affected properties directly informed.