Cong Floodgates

About This Project

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project for Mayo County Council was completed at the end of July 2019. The works were situated throughout several locations within the tourist village of Cong, Co. Mayo.

Works included:

• Re-pointing of existing limestone walls with a lime mortar to prevent the penetration of the wall at times when the levels in the adjacent water courses were particularly high.
• Construction of new limestone walls to act as barriers in the event of water levels rising.
• Installation of removable flood prevention barriers:
  • The posts for these barriers were subtly built into existing limestone walls and structures, given the historic nature of the village.
  • Anchor points for additional posts were cast into the footpath and newly formed steps to provide connection points for additional posts and barriers.
  • The barriers were then handed over to the client who can install them as and when any high water level events are forecast.
• Installation of non-return valves in existing limestone walls between the road and river.

Specialised scaffolds and work platforms were custom designed and erected within the river to allow access to certain work areas. Erection of these took place outwith normal working hours to minimise disruption. Works were monitored closely by Inland Fisheries Ireland due to the close proximity of their salmon hatchery. The project was successfully completed with no contamination of any of the local watercourses.

All works were carried out discreetly so as to not disrupt the level of tourism which is so important to the local business and residents of the village of Cong.