PS/20/105 - River Irvine, Galston - Erosion Works

Description

Approx 350m of River Irvine is to be re-aligned and permanent scour protection is to be installed. Works are to commence early July 2021 for 12 weeks. The River Irvine, which flows generally in an East to West direction, passes the north side of the town of Galston in East Ayrshire. To the east of Galston, the A71 road is located close to the north bank of the river and there is a cycle path on the south bank which was installed as part of the Irvine Valley cycle route with funding from Sustrans Community Links and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). The works to be carried out to the River is to realign the river and provide scour protection to the south bank. The form of the scour protection is rock rolls with willow planting which will stabilise the bank. The River Irvine is designated as a Category 3 river under the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulation 2016 and stocks of salmon and trout are critical. The work will be taking place during the spawning season and within a section of river known to be used for spawning, therefore it is necessary that the Works be carried out with due care and attention to minimise the detrimental effect to the fish stocks. The Contractor will therefore have to comply with certain restrictions and working methods detailed in this Specification, but principally relating to the control of silt release to the river and disturbance of eggs and juveniles that will be present in the riverbed gravels.