| Date -27 Jul 2007 | Return to previous page |
The £10 million flood alleviation scheme for Forres has been given the green light by the Scottish Executive.
Scottish Executive Minister for the Environment, Michael Russell, announced today that the Forres (Burn of Mosset) Flood Prevention Scheme had been confirmed with modifications.
The cost of the project, which will afford protection to 800 properties in Rafford and Forres and reduce the risk of flooding to just once in a hundred years, is estimated to be £10.5million.
The Scottish Executive will fund up to 80 per cent of this with Moray Council paying the balance.
Moray Council’s consultancy manager, Dave Gowans, said: "Most of the scheme will involve massive earthmoving works to construct a large 3.5million cubic metres dam at Chapelton and its associated infrastructure.
“Planning permission has already been granted, and we just await the appropriate licences from SEPA.
“These are needed because the project involves work close to water courses.
“There are final detail negotiations with the contractor, Morrisons, to conclude, after which we are optimistic of a January start.
“Work should take no longer than 15 months.”
The news was welcomed by Moray Council Convener, Cllr George McIntyre.
He said that the years of detailed planning will pay off with the construction of a reliable flood defence scheme.
“This is a welcome and speedy response from the Minister,” he said.
“It may have appeared to have been a long time in the planning, but it is public money we are spending, and as such it’s essential that we take every precaution at the design stage to ensure the scheme will work.”
One of the Forres members of Moray Council, Cllr Lee Bell, agreed.
“It is good news, and as I’ve said before let’s hope that we do not suffer prolonged heavy rainfall such as the people in south west England before the project is complete.
“To me this level of protection for this many properties looks very good value for the Council Taxpayer.
“Here’s to a prompt start.”
The Forres scheme is part of a multi-million pound flood protection project planned for affected areas in Moray.
These include Rothes, Lhanbryde and Elgin.
These areas were severely hit by flooding in 1997 and again in 2002.
Damage to property ran to millions of pounds and caused hundreds of residents to be re-housed in temporary accommodation for months.