It will be Scotland’s biggest-ever flood alleviation scheme and the largest civil engineering project undertaken in Moray, which has suffered recurring flooding in recent years.
Estimated at around £86 million, the Elgin scheme is part of a wider flood prevention programme being promoted by Moray Council through Moray Flood Alleviation, formed in 2002 and combining the expertise of Moray Council, civil engineering consultant Royal Haskoning, Morrison Construction and built asset consultant EC Harris.
Flood schemes at Lhanbryde and Forres (Burn of Mosset) have already been completed and work is nearing completion on a scheme at Rothes.
Commenting on the Elgin scheme, project director Dave Gowans said: “Confirmation of the scheme for Elgin is the culmination of a ten year programme of work that has involved investigations, appraisals and public consultations.
“This is the single largest flood alleviation scheme in Scotland to date and the largest civil engineering project within Moray. The scheme will alleviate flooding in Elgin by recreating the flood plain and constructing flood defences.
“The project involves creating a sustainable flood corridor along the River Lossie and relieving constrictions to water flow. The scheme will enable high flows of water to be conveyed safely through the town, using a combination of embankments, walls and lowered floodplains.
“The scheme is designed to provide a ‘1 in 200’ year standard of flood defence. Climate change is predicted to increase rainfall intensity in the River Lossie catchment by 15 per cent by the 2080s, and the scheme we are implementing is a long term measure for ongoing protection of the town against future flooding.”
Councillor John Russell, chairman of Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee and chairman of the flood alleviation sub-committee, said: “Flooding in north east of Scotland is not a new problem, but the effect of climate change and increased land usage during the past 12 years has made Elgin and its neighbouring towns of Forres, Lhanbryde and Rothes flood risk targets, and a priority for alleviation.
“Without investment in flood alleviation the flood damage losses in Elgin could exceed £110million, not including further losses from road and rail disruption, infrastructure damage, loss of services, distress and social impacts. Losses due to the floods in 1997 and 2002 are estimated to jointly exceed £100million.
“So far two schemes have been completed at Lhanbryde and Forres and a third is due to complete this year in Rothes. We look forward to implementing an equally successful scheme at Elgin with our partners Royal Haskoning, Morrison Construction and EC Harris.”
Work on the Elgin scheme will commence on April 4, with completion due in May 2015.
Moray Flood Alleviation recently received two Saltire Society Civil Engineering Commendations for its implementation of the Forres (Burn of Mosset) scheme. The flood alleviation scheme, which opened in August 2009, now protects 800 properties.
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