Wooden Boardwalk Removal and Partial Rebuild at Scragh Bog SAC, Ballynagall, Co. Westmeath

Description

A boardwalk 600m in length was constructed between 2012 and 2013 using tanalised spruce in wet woodland habitat within Scragh Bog SAC. This now requires removal as it is at the end of its life. Timbers to be removed by hand, starting at the furthest end and retreat back to start point to utilise the remaining boardwalk. The removed timber to be taken away by trailer along an existing forest stone track and then to a licensed facility for disposal. Any boardwalk timber uprights which are not easily removed by hand will be chainsaw cut to ground level and left insitu to rot. A new timber boardwalk consisting of more durable material- untreated oak, will be installed along the line (give or take 2m) of part of the removed boardwalk to a length of 250m linking an existing stone trail in adjacent Coillte forest plantation to the forest road and Scragh Bog Nature Reserve entrance gate. The new boardwalk will be installed by hand with only hand operated wheeled barrow/trailer used to import materials. Two bridges will be required over two drains and the boardwalk will generally be a width of about 1.5m with three passing out areas slightly wider at about 2m. The boardwalk will be covered with galvanized wire mesh to improve grip underfoot. Some seating is also proposed. A boardwalk 600m in length was constructed between 2012 and 2013 using tanalised spruce in wet woodland habitat within Scragh Bog SAC. This now requires removal as it is at the end of its life. Timbers to be removed by hand, starting at the furthest end and retreat back to start point to utilise the remaining boardwalk. The removed timber to be taken away by trailer along an existing forest stone track and then to a licensed facility for disposal. Any boardwalk timber uprights which are not easily removed by hand will be chainsaw cut to ground level and left insitu to rot. A new timber boardwalk consisting of more durable material- untreated oak, will be installed along the line (give or take 2m) of part of the removed boardwalk to a length of 250m linking an existing stone trail in adjacent Coillte forest plantation to the forest road and Scragh Bog Nature Reserve entrance gate. The new boardwalk will be installed by hand with only hand operated wheeled barrow/trailer used to import materials. Two bridges will be required over two drains and the boardwalk will generally be a width of about 1.5m with three passing out areas slightly wider at about 2m. The boardwalk will be covered with galvanized wire mesh to improve grip underfoot. Some seating is also proposed.