Barriers at Grand Canal could be in place until October

Barriers along the Grand Canal in Dublin could remain in place until October as Waterways Ireland has said it is currently trying to redesign the area to prevent tents from being pitched.

The body is responsible for the canal and said it is looking at options such as landscaping and architectural redesign.

It hopes that groundwork will begin in October but that if l possible, it will start the process earlier.

Waterways Ireland said it acknowledges that the current fencing along the canal which runs from Mount Street to Harolds Cross is “undesirable”.

Waterways Ireland said erecting the fencing was not something they had planned to do but it said it took the measure due to serious concerns about the risk to health and safety and public health from people staying in tents by the canal.

It said it is now working to find an “alternative pragmatic solution that enables people to fully enjoy the canal amenities, protects biodiversity and is aesthetically appropriate”.

In a statement, Waterways Ireland said: “We are working on options, and the process will include community outreach and engagement with elected representatives.

“This process, including public procurement, will take some time – we hope that works will begin on the ground in October; if it is possible to start the works any sooner, we will.”

“Whilst temporary barriers have been erected as a mitigation measure, access to the towpath and footpath adjacent to the canal is largely unimpeded,” it added.

The body said it had received “some” complaints about the erection of the barriers, which were installed more than six weeks ago following an operation to remove asylum seekers who were camping on the canal banks.

Asked if the barriers would be extended to other parts of the canal Waterways Ireland said: “We cannot comment on this for operational reasons. Risk – to health and safety, and public health – remains the over-riding concern.”

The statement comes as local residents and businesses called for the barriers to be removed and said it was impacting on the use of the public amenity, discouraging people from visiting hospitality businesses in the area and creating concerns about public safety for those using the canal path.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland said that the fencing off of the Grand Canal cannot go on indefinitely.

Its CEO Adrian Cummins said: “The government need a better approach. Fencing off a prime tourist facility that is used for walking, cruises and other activities is not acceptable.

“The Government needs a better structure and policy for dealing with the issue.”

Shiful Islam, Manager of La Peniche a restaurant that operates on a barge on the Grand Canal, said he would like to see the barrier removed.

“We’d love to see these fences go as soon as possible. A lot of people are wondering if our business is opened or closed because of the fence. Maybe they’re thinking they’re not able to access us because of the fence, so we’d love to see them go.”

Local residents too say they want to see the return of their local amenity.

Kevin Byrne, South Georgian Core Residents Association said: “It was understandable as an emergency response in the wake of clearing the tent encampments that have been allowed be established on the canal. But it’s a very blunt intervention and it’s certainly not an adequate long-term response.

“Fencing off scarce greens space is not something you want to see in the city. And this canal is widely used by joggers, walkers, people reading a book or having a coffee and so the loss of that to both visitors and locals alike is a big loss that we’d like to see rectified.

“We welcome that Waterways Ireland are recognising it’s undesirable. But the timeline on removing it would be a bit disappointing. It means we lose the summer. It’s a key public community space and a green space in the city.”