This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Flood defences for White Cart Water
18/05/2006
A new £50 million flood prevention scheme to protect 1,750 homes and businesses in Glasgow was announced today.
The flood defences, backed by an 80 per cent grant of £40 million from the Executive, are on the White Cart Water at Cathcart on the south side of the city.
Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"In recent weeks we have again witnessed the misery and suffering that flooding can cause. We are determined to help local authorities, such as Glasgow, protect vulnerable areas from flooding and this scheme will give a high standard of protection to homes and businesses along the White Cart river.
"I am particularly pleased that Glasgow City Council has adopted a holistic catchment approach in providing a sustainable solution to flooding. It will enhance bio-diversity and increase access to the river throughout the south side of Glasgow with the minimum visual impact for local residents."
Councillor Archie Graham, the representative for Langside, said:
"For the thousands of people and businesses on the banks of the White Cart Water, every winter brings with it the fear of flooding and damage to their properties. I know that today's announcement will be welcomed by everyone.
"This is an ambitious project and the news that all the money is now in place to ensure that it is implemented will be a great relief to residents of the south side of Glasgow. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of both East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils who have been key to its delivery.
"There have been more than 20 serious floods along the White Cart in the last century, many of these caused by relatively minor storms. We hope that once the new flood protections are in place they will help to ensure any heavy rains will not cause havoc for those living on or near the river."
Glasgow City Council is constructing the White Cart scheme which provides for the construction of three flood water storage sites at Blackhouse, Kirkland Bridge and Kittoch Bridge to temporarily store flood flows with nine hectares of permanent wetlands created, together with approximately eight kilometres of low wall construction along the banks of the river within the city.
The scheme will reduce the present risk of flooding to less than 0.5 per cent annual risk taking into account the impacts of climate change over the life of the scheme.
Scottish Ministers announced in September 2004, as part of the outcome of the 2004 Spending Review, further resources of £75 million for the period 2006-08 and an increase in the grant rate to 80 per cent which would apply for all grant offers made from 2004. It is for local authorities to come forward with suitable schemes to take up these resources.