Leinster House cycle shed construction was delayed after manhole discovered on site
Construction on Leinster House's controversial €336,000 bicycle shelter had to be halted after a large manhole was 'discovered' on site that was not spotted when drawing up site plans.
The OPW told contractors to halt work in the vicinity after 'the uncovering of a significant piece of below ground drainage infrastructure' along with the two-foot-wide manhole.
A note of a site visit in August 2023 said the discovery meant the OPW would need to reexamine the structure of the bicycle shelter and whether any changes were needed.
It said: 'Please now fully cordon off the area around manhole with barriers and place hazard warning signage to note associated risks. Please also notify all site operatives of this site exclusion zone.'
Delivery of bike shed 'critical'
The delay caused angst within the Office of Public Works who said the entire summer recess of the Dáil had 'now been missed' for carrying out works on the bicycle shelter.
An email said: 'For context — in the past OPW were not permitted to work outside these recess periods and the flexibility on site has been hard won over the years by tight management and actively delivering projects.
'With increased security concerns and the visibility of these projects — this flexibility can be rescinded at any time by Leinster House.'
The message, sent in September 2023, said delivery of the bicycle shelter was now critical and sought urgent updates on progress.
They asked that contractors to 'confirm without further delay' how to deal with issues around the foundations and whether it would affect an adjoining wall.
The email said: 'This needs to be fully resolved and instruction to start for Friday with the approved option so that ground works can start on Saturday.'
They also asked for an update on when granite would be delivered for the site and a final date for delivery of the bicycle shelter.
It said: 'Fully completed bicycle shelter must be returned to Leinster House on 14th January [2024].'
Delays on the project continued however, and the bike shed was not available for use until several months later.
Appeal to Information Commissioner
The records were only released following an appeal to the Information Commissioner under Freedom of Information laws.
The OPW had claimed they held no documents that dealt with either delays or cost overruns on the project but were told to reconsider that decision.
In an information note, they said the €336,000 project was covered under the 'Maintenance and Minor Works Framework' for delivery of certain projects.
The note said: '[The framework] has the flexibility to accommodate stopping and starting of works based on (a) discovery of unknown issues on site and (b) operations of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
'The [framework] allows for closure of site at short notice without incurring delay claims and costs for stoppages, which would be part of the standard public works contract.'
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