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Forres flood prevention scheme
12/11/2007
The people of Forres will benefit from an improved flood prevention scheme which has received £13.5 million Government funding, it was announced today.
Proposals will improve flood defences for the Burn of Mosset and as a result will protect hundreds of homes and businesses in the area.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:
"I am very pleased to announce £13.5 million to support Moray Council in taking forward the construction of this scheme. This will reduce the risk of flooding to some 900 homes and businesses in Forres threatened by the Burn of Mosset.
"We cannot prevent flooding, but we must protect lives and property and prepare for floods by increasing our resilience.
"Without this scheme, the flood damage losses in Forres could exceed £43 million over the next 50 years. This scheme delivers a high level of protection as well as value for money. This funding will enable Moray Council to award the construction contract to take this work forward.
"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding by supporting local authorities' efforts to reduce flood risk."
Forres has a history of flooding from the Burn of Mosset. Moray Council promoted the Scheme in January 2005 to reduce the risk to some 900 properties to less than one per cent annual risk, taking into account of climate change over the life of the Scheme.
The Scottish Government has made £42 million of grant funding available in 2007/08 to local authorities to support flood prevention and coastal protection schemes.
The Scottish Government has agreed to provide the £13.5million announced today to the Council to suit the Council's planned expenditure as construction proceeds over the next two years.
Confirmed flood prevention schemes that meet the Scottish government's technical, environmental and economic criteria are eligible for grant support at 80 per cent of eligible costs.
Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, works, other than maintenance or repair can only be carried out as a flood prevention scheme, promoted by a Council and confirmed by Scottish Ministers.
The Forres (Burn of Mosset) Flood Prevention Scheme was confirmed by the Scottish Government in July 2007 with modifications to ensure the efficiency of the reservoir at Chapelton Dam and that the water environment is protected from contamination.