Waterways Ireland gets go-ahead for River Shannon silt clearance works

Waterways Ireland has been granted planning permission to remove silt from a section of the river Shannon outside Banagher in order to allow for the safe passage of craft through the navigation channel.

The planning permission was granted subject to eight conditions, including that an underwater archaeologist be engaged to monitor all development works, including those that impact on the canal/riverbanks and the canal/riverbed, and which could impact archaeological and/or underwater cultural heritage.

Waterways Ireland sought permission from Offaly County Council in April 2025 for essential maintenance works to the Shannon navigation, including the removal of 710 cubic metres of silt build up, downstream of Victoria Lock.

The application sought permission for access through the front and rear curtilage of Victoria Lock House and use of the field to the rear of Victoria Lock House beyond its immediate curtilage.

No works or alterations to the physical structure of either the lock house, its associated outhouses or to the lock, were required as part of proposed maintenance works.

An Ecological Impact Assessment and Natura Impact Statement were also submitted as part of the planning application. The proposed works site is located in the townsland of Clonahenoge, approximately 6.5km southwest of the village of Banagher and 14km northwest of Birr.

The Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) stated that the works to remove silt and gravel from the River Shannon Navigation downstream of Victoria Lock were required to "allow for the safe passage of craft."

The works include the removal of silt and peat which has been carried downstream in the winter floods, with these works to be carried out by Waterways Irelad as part of their maintenance activities, according to the report.

The area of silt build up to be removed is 130m downstream of the Victoria Lock gates, at the junction of the River Shannon, the New Cut, the old Clonaheenogue Canal and the Little Brosna River, and is a total of 75m in length.

The works will be carried out by a five-man team and it is expected that they will take two to three weeks to complete.

To ensure the long-term stability of the riverbank and restoration of natural habitats, council planners imposed a condition that all all disturbed banks, access routes, and working areas be reinstated to their original condition, or to a condition agreed in writing with the local authority.

Among the reinstatement works that must be completed are regrading, stabilisation, and appropriate native planting where required.

The council has also stipulated that an ecological clerk of works be appointed to supervise the project "from commencement to completion" and submit a written report to planners within six months of the completion of works outlining the ecological and environmental impacts of the proposed development.