The Waterways Service granted permission last January for site investigation works to be carried out on the canal bank between the railway track and the Royal Canal east of Russell Street Bridge, in connection with the second phase of the Croke Park development. The work commenced on 30 January 1996 and was due to be completed within three to four weeks.
The consulting engineers for the project agreed the working details with an engineer of the Waterways Service. A standard indemnity form was completed to indemnify the Commissioners of Public Works against any claims and confirmation of the necessary insurances was also provided. The overall development scheme for Croke Park has been approved by the planning authorities but specific planning permission was not required for the site investigation work which was of an exploratory nature.
The structure of the canal bank was not removed. However, the top of the bank was reduced slightly in height to provide a level surface so as to facilitate the operation of site investigation machinery.