Work to prevent flooding in Broughty Ferry has been delayed until next summer.
Dundee City Council’s flood protection scheme for the area has been put back until at least late summer 2018 due to “engineering challenges”.
Achieving agreement on the design of the scheme at Douglas Terrace has also held back progress.
According to the council, studies have shown large areas of Broughty Ferry are at significant risk of flooding.
During a once in 200 year event, extreme water levels in the River Tay would exceed the height of existing defences and cause flooding in the areas of Long Lane and Brook Street.
The estimated costs to residents, businesses and infrastructure would be in the region of £97 million with 450 properties at risk.
A Dundee City Council report says: “The design of the project is still progressing.
“Engineering challenges and approvals associated with the design solution at Douglas Terrace have required more time than originally envisaged, this has postponed the commencement of the legal process required to allow works to proceed.
“Dundee City Council are using this additional time to undertake additional consultation with statutory bodies and further surveys, studies and models of the sand dunes along the esplanade.
“Key dates for the project are now late November for publishing of notice of flood protection scheme. With a potential start date for works late summer 2018, dependant on the result of the associated legal process.”
Councillor Craig Duncan said the council has faced issues in locating one of the area’s crucial water mains.
He said: “It’s a major stumbling block and it is not really down to the council.
“The hope had been that work would be getting under way around now, but with winter coming up it would not be sensible to start.
“The work is vitally important. It’s a question of, do you take the chance?.
“There is a body of work which indicates that sea-levels are rising and that the east coast is particularly susceptible.”
