Efforts to ensure there will be no repeat of a major flooding incident in Dunfermline have been hailed as a “step in the right direction” by councillors.
But officials have been urged to continue monitoring the situation at the Tower Burn closely following the chaos that ensued during Storm Abigail last November.
Due to a history over many decades of flooding at the location at Pittencrieff Park, the trash screen at the Tower Burn just north of the Glen Gates receives the highest level of pre-flood checks and general attention.
However, despite those measures being in place, the exceptional speed and severity of an overnight storm on November 14/15 2015, combined with the high level of autumnal debris, led to a blocked culvert – prompting major flooding in the area and the collapse of a boundary wall.
Following an investigation into what happened, councillors on Fife’s executive committee were assured that work has since been carried out – or is in the pipeline – to try and prevent such an incident happening again.
Modifications have been made to the trash screen to allow free passage of smaller debris, while a new coarse screen will be installed further upstream to catch larger items.
A £3,400 water level monitoring system, using sensors upstream and downstream of the screen, should also be in place by August, councillors were told, while weekly screen clearing and improved debris clearance within the park has been ordered.
A permanent lighting facility on the west site of the screen, costing £4,200, will also be installed for use by council workers for night time and winter clearances.
Councillors also heard that an automated screen cleansing system – which would have seen a rotating rake or mechanical grab fitted – had been looked at, but, at a cost of £100,000-plus, had been deemed unaffordable in the current climate.
Local councillor Neale Hanvey said he felt the recommendations were “right for the area” and were “appropriate”, although he said the £100,000 figure quoted for any automated system “pales into insignificance” to the overall £35 million cost of the Dunfermline flood prevention scheme.
And Mr Hanvey added: “This is not the end of the tale by any means.
“There are still persistent problems about how things have not been put back in a way that satisfies the local constituents, and also issues surrounding compensation.
“I think this is a significant step in the right direction to prevent anything happening in that area again, but we do have to have a close eye on the situation.”
Giving councillors his update, Derek Crowe, senior manager for engineering and waste services, added that the masonry wall which collapsed during the storm had been substantially reinstated.
“The additional measures now in place or proposed to be implemented as this key ‘high risk’ location will help to mitigate the potential of further flooding at this location,” he concluded.
