2010:158 - DCC Public Realm, Derry, Derry

Monitoring of works associated with the urban renewal works centred within Derry city centre was undertaken between March 2009 and February 2010. The site consists of the public roadway and footpaths of Shipquay Place, Shipquay Street, Guildhall Street, Custom House Street, Waterloo Place, Waterloo Street, Strand Road, William Street, Whitaker Street, Foyle Street, Chamberlain Street, High Street, Magazine Street and Castle Street and is predominantly located within the 17th-century city walls.
Deposits associated with the 17th-century land reclamation of the area and portions of the related cobbled street and quay surface were identified within several areas of deep excavation within the boundaries of the PDA. However, monitoring works at the site confirmed that works associated with the provision of services and the construction of the former street surface which survived substantially intact within Shipquay Place had severely impacted upon the 17th-century surface. In addition, invasive groundworks associated with the subject proposal were rather limited in scope with construction depth largely being achieved within layers associated with the modern surfaces and services referred to above.
The excavation of trenches and laying of paving through the areas of Castle Gate and Magazine Gate and within the immediate vicinity of Shipquay Gate and within close proximity to the historic City Walls (LDY014–033) was undertaken with caution with appropriate methods and protocols utilised to ensure the protection of such structures during excavation and construction works. In addition, a buffer material was placed along the exposed surfaces of these structures ensuring that no contact was made between their fabric and the new concrete sub-base or surface paving.