Kinnegad - Kilcock Motorway - National Roads Authority

M4 News 7/7/03 12:10 pm Page 4
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Kinnegad - Kilcock Motorway News
Kinnegad to Kilcock - the
journey has begun
SITE SURVEYS
Extensive site investigation and surveying works have been undertaken for various
elements of the design both before the awarding of the contract, and since that date.Trial
holes were excavated to determine the properties of the existing soils, surveys were
carried out on the private and public services and on all watercourses that may be affected
by the route. Environmental works have included water quality surveys and well
monitoring, wildlife and plant surveys, and noise surveys. A detailed land survey of the
existing topography of the site and the side roads was undertaken, along with the setting
out of the site boundaries along the proposed route.
ARCHAEOLOGY
As part of the route selection process, the environmental impact study and the planning
process, an assessment was made on the effects of the proposed route on any potential
archaeological sites in the area. Following the selection of the proposed route and during
the tender process, the NRA carried out surveys and investigations along the route to
investigate and minimise the effect of any potential archaeological finds on the works.
An archaeology strategy document and design statement has been produced by Westroute
JV and their sub-consultants, ACS Ltd, a specialist archaeology company, in consultation with
the project archaeologist, Ronan Swan, from Westmeath County Council National Roads
Design Office, the Heritage and Planning Division of the Department of the Environment
and Local Government, formerly Duchas, and the National Museum of Ireland. This
document outlines the procedures that Westroute JV have undertaken to follow to protect
and preserve any items of archaeological interest discovered while carrying out the works.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
As part of the design process,Westroute JV and their sub-consultants are carrying out
comprehensive reviews of the proposed works to identify any risks and reduce the effects
of these on the works.The aim of a large part of these reviews is to attempt to minimise
the effects of construction works on the local roads network by reducing, where possible,
the amount of materials that may have to be imported.
FENCING
After carrying out the various surveys, one of the first permanent elements of work is the
installation of the fencing to the boundaries.This fencing has to take account of the wildlife
of the area and the adjacent landowners.When the fencing has been installed it secures
the site and adjacent lands against accidental trespass and ensures that everyone is aware
of the boundaries of the works. Fencing commenced in May 2003. It is anticipated that the
majority of boundary fencing will be completed by the end of the summer.
The on-site works that are
anticipated to be noticeable by the
next issue of the newsletter in
September include:
• Continuation of fencing along the site
boundaries
• Site clearance of vegetation and
overgrowth, small farm buildings, etc. and
establishment of haul routes throughout
the site within the fenced off areas.
• Topsoil stripping, excavation and fill
(mainly west of Kinnegad, around Cappagh
Hill and near structures on which
construction is about to begin).
• The start of work on several structures
including the Kinnegad river culvert, M4
Junction west, Boyne and Blackwater River
bridges, Cappagh Hill bridge, Enfield
Johnstown bridge and culverts to the
rivers Glash, Aleckafin and Ballycorran.
• The installation of drainage and services
diversions throughout the site, particularly
in areas where earthworks and structures
operations are being undertaken.
• The installation of gates and accesses, as
agreed in the accommodation works
schedules in areas of main work activity.
• Temporary works including establishment
of further welfare facilities, plant crossings,
site access identification, signage, etc.
It is not envisaged that any
realignment/diversions/restrictions of side
roads, other than what may be necessary
to maintain the safety of the public/site
interface, will be implemented within this
period.
4
We're here
to help you
Eurolink and its partners are keen to
ensure the successful delivery of this
important motorway link. We have
in place a team of committed personnel to
assist in this delivery. We regard the
people living adjacent or close to the
scheme as key stakeholders in the project.
While some inconvenience is always
inevitable in a major construction project
such as this, we will be making all efforts to
keep such inconvenience to a minimum.
Should you experience problems or
difficulties, please contact Eurolink.
Appropriate forms are available if you
want to submit a query or a formal
complaint regarding the construction of
the project.
EuroLink MO Ltd
Inmaculada Roche
Meadowbrook, Cloncurry
Enfield, County Meath
Telephone: 04054 0269
Fax: 04054 0269
E-mail: i.roche@cintra.es
Westroute's team are ready to assist you if
your concerns relate to their works on
site.
Westroute JV
Martin Maher
SIAC Building, Monastery Road,
Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Telephone: 086 275 6995
Fax: 01403 3174
E-mail: martin.maher@siac.ie
Westmeath County Council had a lead
role during the procurement of the
project, and now they have passed on the
design obligations, though they will still
have an involvement in the CPO process
and compensation.Their contact details
are:
Westmeath County Council
Michael Kelly, Enda O'Keefe
Westmeath County Council,
National Roads Design Office
Culleen Beg, Mullingar
County Westmeath
Telephone: 0443 4250
Fax: 0444 3661
E-mail: mkelly@wccprojectoffice.ie,
Eokeeffe@wccprojectoffice.ie
Emergency Phone:
In the unlikely event that an emergency
related to the works occurs, please contact
1890 500 333.