Brechin flood prevention plan progressing slowly
A plan for a flood prevention scheme for Brechin intended to stop the South Esk further breaching its banks is making slow progress, members of the panel formed to oversee the development have been told.
River South Esk.
- By Liz Fowler
- Published in the Courier : 04.10.10
- Published online : 04.10.10 @ 08.47am
The design for the £14.2 million scheme has been issued to the Scottish Government for confirmation, allowing a three-month consultation period during which objections can be lodged, a Brechin Flood Prevention Panel meeting was told.
Angus Council is recommending a flood wall and raised pavement at River Street and an earthen embankment at the caravan park and unit 25 in East Mill industrial estate, although further consultation and meetings with landowners will be required.
In addition further hydraulic river and drainage modelling is required to confirm and develop the original scheme design. Hydraulic river modelling will also be required for short-term and alternative measures, including a detailed investigation of the efficacy of removing sediment and gravel from the vicinity and upstream of Brechin Bridge.
It was pointed out that no formal agreements were in place with landowners to acquire the necessary land to implement the scheme. However, on its current basis, all landowners would be entitled to fair compensation.
Members also heard that preliminary assessments of alternative options had noted that several urban drainage measures could be incorporated into the scheme, subject to further investigation.
It is proposed to phase the works so that the scheme can be implemented by the local authority in affordable sums. Subject to more detailed investigation there are a number of short-term measures which, if accepted by Scottish Water and landowners, could be implemented.
Gravel bank
On the subject of the possible removal of the gravel bank opposite River Street it was indicated again that, as the river South Esk is an internationally important site for nature conservation and with legislation in place to protect its salmon and freshwater pearl mussel beds, it was unlikely that Scottish Natural Heritage or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency would endorse or licence any work that would alter the hydromorphology of the river.
The removal of sediment from beneath and downsteam of Brechin Bridge was investigated to determine whether there would be any significant benefit to the flow capacity of the river. However, the benefits were not considered significant in alleviating flood risk and the works were also considered unlikely to be sustainable.
While it was recommended that the council should not pursue the gravel bank removal further it was felt that a further review to investigate other dredging options should be undertaken and the result of such a review would be subject of a future report to the council's infrastructure services committee.
After the meeting council leader Bob Myles said, "The plan of action regarding the gravel bank options is under way and the work has commenced regarding setting up an agreement between Angus Council and Scottish Water for sewer modelling.
"Scottish Water has agreed to look at all its sewer systems and come up with a remodelling programme so the systems work better. We have the next meeting later this month but I have stressed that between now and then I want some action on this as we have spent plenty time talking."
Arrangements are being made to hold a further public meeting in the burgh on the plan, which meanwhile is on view at the library.
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