Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme Update

December 2023

Stage 1 of the scheme from St Enda’s Park to St Gatien's Court is progressing well with the in stream works in St. Enda’s Park recently completed. However, due to some unforeseen factors, the works are currently running behind the initial Stage 1 estimated completion time of the end of September 2023.

These factors include:

1. Minor Archaeological finds which have had to be analysed and recorded by the Project Archaeologist in line with the licence conditions outlined by National Monuments Service.

2. Damage to unfinished works in St. Enda’s Park due to recent heavy rainfall events. As a result resources had to be diverted in St. Enda’s Park to ensure the works were completed in compliance with Inland Fisheries conditions.

3. Sourcing of Materials – Due to current market conditions some deliveries of vital materials have been delayed.

4. Unforeseen works following the removal of trees and vegetation in February 2023.

As the in stream works in St Enda’s have now been completed, resources will now be focused in completing the works adjacent to St. Gatien’s Court which we currently estimate will be completed before Christmas.

In early 2024 the Council will be progressing to Stage 2 which will be from St Gatien's Court to Grange Park where the Traffic Management will be adjusted to accommodate the works. The Council are currently reviewing the traffic management required and advance notices of the new layout when finalised will be made available to the public. In 2024, there may be also some localised traffic management put in place at certain times along Whitechurch Road. Notification of these will follow in due course.

The Council is cognisant of the fact that works do have a substantial impact on the area and they are striving to construct the scheme as efficiently as possible within the conditions set out by the relevant Statutory bodies.

Flood Alleviation schemes in general are complex projects to construct and this has proved no different, but the benefits of such schemes have already been seen with the totem poles recently installed in St Enda’s Park successfully holding back substantial debris that would normally accumulate at the Sarah Curran Bridge, which would result in the adjacent river banks being further eroded. The riverbanks and weir in St Endas Park have also been reconstructed and futureproofed in what the Council hope will become a pleasant addition to the park when this area re-opens.

Further updates will follow as they become available.

For more information on this project click here.