This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Braid Burn flood prevention scheme
10/01/2005
Following severe weather across Scotland, funding worth £14 million for Edinburgh's flood defences was announced today.
Over 900 homes and businesses in the city will be protected from flooding thanks to a £17 million scheme for the Braid Burn.
Deputy Environment Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"This weekend has once again shown the misery and suffering that flooding can cause.
"The Executive is committed to increasing protection for communities at risk through investment in flood defences.
"As part of that commitment we announced in September significantly increased provision for flood prevention schemes in flood risk areas.
"Our support for this scheme clearly demonstrates our determination to help councils protect vulnerable areas from flooding.
"This scheme will give a high standard of protection and help to relieve the worry and distress of residents and business people who have suffered from flooding from the Braid Burn in recent years".
Donald Anderson, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
"We are delighted that the Scottish Ministers have given the Braid Burn scheme the green light earlier than anticipated. Developing the flood prevention measures has been one of the most significant civil engineering projects in Edinburgh in recent years.
"Our aim has been to make family homes and businesses safe from the threat of flooding and we are confident these measures will do just that."
The scheme, to be completed by autumn 2007, will reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses along the Braid Burn between Redford Road and Portobello.
During the worst recorded incident in April 2000, the Braid Burn burst its banks flooding 250 residential properties and commercial premises between Redford Road and Duddingston Road including premises in Peffermill Industrial Estate.
Mr Macdonald announced the funding pledge while visiting Simmers biscuit factory in Edinburgh. The factory suffered serious flood damage in April 2000.
Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, Councils are required to obtain the confirmation by Scottish Ministers of Flood Prevention Schemes before proceeding to construction.
Confirmed schemes currently attract grant at 80 per cent from the Scottish Executive.
As part of the outcome of the 2002 Scottish Budget, Ministers made available £40 million to support the local authorities flood prevention/coast protection capital programme for the period 2003-2006.
Scottish Ministers announced in September 2004, as part of the outcome of the 2004 Scottish Budget, further resources of £75 million for the period 2006-08 and an increase in the grant rate from 50 per cent to 80 per cent which would apply for all grant offers made from this year. The funding announced today is from these resources.
City of Edinburgh Council is promoting this Scheme to mitigate flooding of about 900 premises in the suburbs of Edinburgh which are at high risk of flooding from the Braid Burn. The Scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to less than 0.5 per cent in any year and takes account of the impacts of climate change.
The Scheme includes the construction of a combination of floodwalls, embankments, bridge and culvert improvements at various locations between Redford Rd and Adelphi Place, formation of flood storage areas in Inch Park and Peffermill Playing Fields and environmental mitigation measures such as encouraging river meanders and natural development of wetland margins, landscaping and the use of materials in keeping with local character.