This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Flood protection for East Ayrshire
12/10/2006
Over 160 homes and businesses in East Ayrshire will be better protected from flooding due to new funding, it was announced today.
Funding of £8 million for the Galston Flood Prevention Scheme will help prevent a repeat of flooding which, in recent years, has left substantial damage to many commercial and residential properties.
Speaking on a visit to Galston, Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Last winter I saw for myself the misery, disruption and suffering that flooding can cause.
"We are today investing to protect Scotland's resources. I congratulate East Ayrshire Council in having the vision to find a sustainable solution to flooding in Galston. This scheme gives a high standard of protection and will help relieve the worry and stress of people who have suffered from flooding in recent years."
Councillor Drew McIntyre, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said:
"The Council has worked hard to mitigate the effects caused by flooding to businesses and residential communities and our commitment to that cause is evidenced by the flood defences already completed and the works currently being considered. I am delighted that the Minister is with us today to formally launch the Galston Flood Prevention Scheme and I would like to thank the Scottish Executive for continuing to recognise the flooding problems we face in East Ayrshire and for continuing to support our efforts to deal with them."
Background
The Galston Flood Prevention Scheme was confirmed, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, by Ministers in July 2006. Construction of confirmed Schemes meeting certain criteria attracts 80 per cent grant funding from the Executive. The Executive is providing £7.82 million towards the Scheme.
East Ayrshire Council is constructing this Scheme to protect approximately 163 homes and businesses in Galston which have a history of flooding from the River Irvine and Burn Anne. The Scheme comprises a detention basin to capture the water which would otherwise flow into the Gauchalland Burn, a tributary of the Burn Anne, which will occupy the existing playing fields at St Mary's Holm; an area to store water adjacent to the River Irvine at Moley's Plantation, presently used for animal grazing, and a combination of flood walls and embankments along both banks of the Burn Anne and the south bank of the River Irvine. The Scheme will reduce the present risk of flooding to less than 1 per cent annual risk, taking into account the impacts of climate change over the life of the Scheme.
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.