Flood defence boost for Bo'ness

Flood prevention work will begin in the most vulnerable areas

Work is to begin this month on a £5.2m flood prevention scheme for Bo'ness.

The three-year plan will see a continuous barrier placed along a 4.5km stretch of coastline between Corbiehall and Carriden.

It is hoped the new defences will prevent the future flooding of up to 300 homes and commercial properties currently at risk.

Clearing work on a 2.5km site, thought to be at the most risk near Carriden, is due to start in the coming days.

When the site is cleared, a concrete retaining wall with rock armour and a new embankment will be built.

Falkirk Council said the construction would raise the level of the existing foreshore and improve flood prevention during storm conditions and high tides.

Contractors, Lagan Construction Ltd, will work on the project between April and September until 2011.

'Protected birds'

The work is being restricted to the summer months to reduce its impact on protected species like the Great Crested Grebe and the Red Shank which frequent the area in winter.

The Firth of Forth is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Special Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for wildlife who use the mudflat as their habitat.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, convener of environment and heritage with the local authority, said: "Millions of pounds worth of homes and businesses near the shoreline in Bo'ness are at risk from extreme coastal flooding.

"This major defence scheme hopes to alleviate the risks.

"To minimise the effect of building the new coastal defences, particularly on protected birds and wildlife in the area, the project will be carried out in three distinct phases."

The first phase of the work will run from Grangepans to Carriden with Bo'ness Harbour tackled over the next two years.

The Scottish Government is contributing about £3.6m towards the cost of the scheme.