Flood relief plan goes on display

Flooding has caused chaos in Elgin in recent years

Proposals for Scotland's biggest ever flood prevention scheme are to be put on display.

The £90m scheme aims to remove the threat of flooding from River Lossie in Elgin, Moray, after two devastating floods in recent years.

It aims to protect property in the town by allowing other land like parks and fields to flood.

Detailed plans and impressions of the proposal can be seen in Mansefield Hotel, Elgin, over the next two days.

If the scheme attracts no objections, work is likely to get underway within the next 18 months. It was chosen from dozens of ideas which were evaluated by the 40-strong design team.

Detailed studies were carried out to understand the likely extent and frequency of flooding, with the information being used to create ways of reducing flood risk.

I would urge all those who might be affected to go along to view the exhibition, their views are important to us before we go any further Bob Stewart Moray Council

A computerised flow model showed that properties on the east side of the River Lossie between Elgin and Lossiemouth would see a lower risk of flooding, but three properties on the west side would be worse off so the scheme includes work to counter this.

Moray Council's director of Environmental Services, Bob Stewart, said: "This exhibition gives everyone a chance to see what the scheme will look like when it is finished, what work is envisaged and what level of disruption to expect whilst work is carried out.

"The cost of the scheme, at current prices, is around £88m. This is made up of £83m yet to be incurred, and the costs of studies, design and investigations to date of £5m.

"I would urge all those who might be affected to go along to view the exhibition, their views are important to us before we go any further."

Long history

The council has pledged to do it all it can to resolve any objections without the need for a Public Local Inquiry to avoid people having to wait any longer for relief from the misery of flooding.

The town has a long history of flooding, with heavy rainfall in 1997 leading to 600 homes being evacuated.

While 170mm of rainwater fell on the area over a 48-hour period in November 2002, causing the river level in Elgin to reach record levels.