THE GRAND CANAL WAY - Waterways Forward

THE GRAND CANAL WAYGreen Route3rd Lock, Inchicore to 12th Lock, Lucan-Newcastle RoadOfficial Opening on the 18th June 2010

THE GRAND CANAL WAYGREEN ROUTE 3RD LOCK, INCHICORE TO 12TH LOCK, LUCAN-NEWCASTLE ROADGREEN ROUTEThe Green Route opens up a major naturalresource, the Grand Canal, for improved amenity,recreational, educational and transportational uses.The route extends from the 3rd Lock in Inchicoreto the 12th Lock in Lucan, a distance of 8.5km. Itprovides a quality pedestrian and cycling path andemploys the latest technology in CCTV and publiclighting. The scheme includes extensive tree andshrub planting and the provision of enhancedhabitats for flora and fauna along the route.The Green Route project was initiated by SouthDublin County Council, Dublin City Council, ESBNetworks and Waterways Ireland. The scheme hasbeen developed in a partnership manner by thefour statutory bodies and yields dividends for allconcerned, benefiting in particular thecommunities and businesses in the West Dublinregion and has established a blueprint for futureinter-agency projects.Species found along the Grand CanalESB Networks is proud to be associated with SouthDublin County Council, Dublin City Council andWaterways Ireland in developing the Green Route onthe Grand Canal. It is a prime example of inter agencyco-operation, whereby significant gains are achieved forall of the community and at the same time the needs ofthe individual organisations are addressed.ESB Networks’s motivation for participation in theGreen Route development was its requirement tosecure a route for the underground 110kV cablesrequired to reinforce 110kV networks in west Dublinfrom its major 220kV substation at Inchicore. Thealternative routes would have entailed substantialdisruption to traffic along major roadways where thepermissible hours of work would have been significantlycurtailed. The availability of the tow path along thecanal between Inchicore and the 12th Lock at Lucanenabled ESB Networks toproceed with its work in amanner that eliminated trafficdisruption and minimiseddelivery time to ensure thatthe required reinforcementwas delivered on time and tobudget.Jerry O’SullivanManaging Director, ESB NetworksDublin City Council is proud to have played its part inthe completion of this unique and innovative project.The development of this Green Route from the 3rd Lockat Inchicore in the City Council’s area to the 12th Lock inLucan in South County Dublin’s area enabled theenhancement of the existing power supply network andthe provision of a high quality pedestrian and cycleroute. The project is an outstanding example of fourstatutory bodies coming together and working toachieve complementary goals for the common good.I wish to congratulate allconcerned in delivering thisproject in an efficient andcollaborative mannerCllr. Emer Costello,Lord Mayor of DublinWaterways Ireland is delighted to have worked inpartnership with South Dublin County Council, DublinCity Council and ESB Networks on the project to deliverthis Green Route on the Grand Canal Towpath. The131km long Grand Canal is an excellent recreationalresource for over 1.3 million people living in proximityto it. The project designed, planned and implementedbetween the 3rd Lock at Inchicore and the 12th lock atLucan is a model of urban development and yieldsdividends for all the partners but in particular thecommunities and businesses in the Southwest DublinRegion. As the custodian of the Grand Canal for thepeople, Waterways Ireland is very proud of what hasbeen achieved, congratulates all involved and welcomespeople to explore the beautyof the Grand Canal along thiswonderful pathway andbeyond.John Martin,Chief Eecutive of WaterwaysIrelandBrief History of Grand Canal1756 Grand Canal construction commenced at 11th Lock.1803 The Grand Canal was connected to the Shannon River.1804 The first boat passed from Dublin to Shannon1852 The last passenger boat was withdrawn. They hadbecome unnecessary due to the advent of steamtrains.1960 The last trade boat was withdrawn by Coras IompairEireann.1986 Grand Canal System transferred to the Office ofPublic Works.1996 Grand Canal system transferred to the Department ofArts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and then to theDepartment of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and theIslands.1999 Grand Canal System transferred to Waterways Ireland,a North/South Body established after the Good Fridayagreement.2010 Grand Canal Green Route 3rd Lock to 12th Lockopens.The €25m project reflects an innovative and cooperativeapproach by all parties to address what arepressing requirements for the rapidly developing areaof West Dublin.South Dublin County Council takes great pleasure inbeing a partner in the development of The Grand CanalWay Green Route from the 3rd Lock, Inchicore to 12thLock, Lucan incorporating a 110kV circuit. The projectdelivers a high quality green pedestrian and cycle path,providing an alternative mode of transport; powersupply to the West Dublin area, stimulating furthereconomic activity; public lighting and CCTV, assisting insecurity and protection along the route andcommunication ducts for future technology purposes.Enhancement and protection of flora and fauna hasbeen provided for together with leisure facilitiesincluding boating jetties, fishing points, seats, litter binsand an extensive signage scheme. The partnershipapproach taken in this project has delivered a green,sustainable and cost effective route benefiting businessand community needs in South Dublin County andDublin City and has established a blueprint for futureinter-agency projects going forward.I wish, on behalf of South Dublin County Council, toacknowledge the excellent and substantial contributionmade to the project by our partners ESB Networks,Dublin City Council, Waterways Ireland and their staffand to also acknowledge the role and flexibilitydemonstrated by theConsultants, Clifton ScannellEmerson Associates and theContractors Kilwex Ltd/SKSCommunications Ltd indelivering this innovativeproject.Cllr. Mick Duff,Mayor of South Dublin CountyConstruction Data136,000m of Ducts44,000 Shrubs2,600m of Railing1000 Trees308 Lights200 Signs66 Cameras21 Kissing and Vehicle Gates16 Bat Boxes12 Otter Holts3 Timber Jetties2 Limestone JettiesDavitt RoadM50Lucan-Newcastle RoadFonthill Road

INTER AGENCY TEAMKEY FEATURESCONSTRUCTION WORKS ON CANAL• The scheme opens up one of the Country’s most scenicwaterways to the public by providing easy access andsecurity along the route. The scheme has been designedwith Impaired Mobility access as a priority.• The first project in Europe to dim lights through remotemonitoring and control to accommodate the foodgathering patterns of bats, the sleep patterns of otters aswell as other nocturnal species.• An 8.5km quality safe pedestrian and cycle route on thecanal commencing at Davitt Road and ending at the 12thLock, Lucan-Newcastle Road. The scheme includes newfishing points and boat berthing areas to promote therecreational use of the canal.• 3 new signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings have beenprovided at Kylemore Road, Killeen Road and the 9thLock Road.BEFORE• 8 new ramps accessing the Grand Canal have beenconstructed at Kylemore Road, Killeen Road, ParkwestAvenue, Fonthill Road and Grange Castle Road.• A network for ESB serving West Dublin.• A network for controllable public lighting andcommunication technologies.• A 24 hour monitored CCTV system consisting of 66cameras installed along the entire route.• The provision of bat boxes and otter holts.• An extensive landscape planting of 1000 extra native Irishtrees and 44,000 shrubs to maintain and enhance thenatural corridor of flora along the Grand Canal.AFTER• An extensive signage scheme outlining the history of theGrand Canal and the flora and fauna that resides on andin the vicinity of the canal.• A litter control plan involving the placement of litter binsalong the route is in place.• The Green Route will be a link between; the AdamstownPedestrian and Cycle Route currently under construction,the existing pathway from Inchicore along the GrandCanal to the Grand Canal Basin and the future Portobelloto Clontarf Route. When the third party links arecompleted, it will allow an almost completely off-roadroute from Lucan to Sandycove and Sutton.Design. BrandNewCreative.iePROJECT TEAMProject Consulting Engineers: Clifton Scannell Emerson AssociatesLighting Design: JN & G Traynor & Partners Landscaping Design: Murray AssociatesMain Contractor: Kilwex Limited Communications Contractor: SKS Communications Limited