Project Overview
The Midleton Wastewater Project is one of the final pieces in Uisce Éireann’s wider €24m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) investment -a long-term upgrade designed to unlock future housing capacity, modernise wastewater infrastructure, and improve environmental resilience across East Cork.
Working alongside Cork County Council and main contractor Geda Construction, Irish Fencing was appointed to supply and install a range of security and boundary fences around the new pumping station. The brief was straightforward in intention but demanding in execution: create a safe, secure perimeter around a critical piece of infrastructure, adjacent to a live train line, on a site that remained operational throughout construction.
The challenge was less about scale and more about sequencing, precision and coordination.
Project Challenges
1. Protecting the public and rail corridor
The pumping station sits beside an active railway line, meaning the fencing had to prevent accidental access from both the public and construction personnel. Height, durability, and anti-climb design were essential.
2. Working on a live, multi-phase construction site
Machinery was operating in several different zones simultaneously. Installing all fences at once risked damage to newly completed sections. A phased, carefully coordinated installation was required.
3. Multiple fence types for different risk levels
The site required three distinct products, each serving a different function and each needing bespoke adjustments to fit the new civils work.
Our Solution
We worked closely with Geda Construction to determine the correct fence type for each boundary and movement zone. The final solution combined three of our core products:
Palisade Fencing – Outer Boundary
A robust deterrent forming the primary security perimeter.
Kinsale 868 Mesh – Pump Station and Internal Road
Installed at 2400mm high, with 2 no. 6000mm-wide gates for vehicle movement and controlled access.
Solid Bar Railings – Front Boundary Wall
A 1400mm-high railing system delivering strength and a cleaner visual profile along the public road.
Bespoke Engineering Where Required
To meet the site’s safety and structural demands:
- Extra-long posts were designed and installed along the rail corridor to extend the fence height beyond the level of the track-side boundary.
- Custom crank posts were manufactured so the front railings could sit on the new wall and be set into concrete for improved stability.
- Special curved panels were created for recessed areas on both sides of the main entrance. These were measured after the posts were set out, ensuring a precise fit and seamless finish.
Phased Installation to Protect Programme
Because the site was live, fencing was delivered in staged phases -only installing panels when heavy machinery had completed works in that zone. This avoided unnecessary damage, reduced rework, and supported the contractor’s programme:
“As this was a live site… it was agreed to install the various fences at different times. This protected the fences from getting damaged by machinery.”
Project Outcomes
The project demonstrates the value of manufacturing locally. Almost all components -from the curved entrance panels to the bespoke cranked posts -were produced in our Dublin factory, allowing us to respond quickly as measurements were confirmed on site.
The result is a secure, safe, and durable perimeter that protects both the public and the infrastructure, while supporting timely completion of a strategically important regional investment. The phased approach meant no delays, no damaged panels, and a clean handover to the contractor.
This was also our second project with Geda Construction in Midleton, following the completion of the nearby Water Rock wastewater pumping station -reinforcing a productive working relationship built on trust, problem-solving, and reliable delivery.
