City of Edinburgh Council has pledged its commitment to major flood-prevention works, despite facing a funding shortfall of £22.7M.
The Braid Burn scheme will be completed in September 2010, while ‘a number of options’ to progress the Water of Leith scheme are being explored amid discussions with the Scottish Government to secure funding.
Transport convener, Gordon Mackenzie, has written to John Swinney MSP, highlighting the financial position and seeking reassurances as to the Government’s commitment to the scheme. He said the shortfall was due to changes in the funding arrangements for flood preventions schemes and to changes to the scheme following a public inquiry.
‘The Government’s contribution under the previous funding mechanism did not take into account project risk, and was based on estimated costs prepared some time ago for the Water of Leith scheme,’ Mackenzie added.
‘Since the last acknowledged estimate of spring 2007, a number of developments, not least the extensive works to the Murrayfield playing fields, have required that the scheme’s costs be re-evaluated.’
In the event that a funding gap remains, at least in the short term, the council’s transport committee will next week be asked to approve the phased construction of the scheme, based on the funds available.
Edinburgh’s flood-prevention scheme was initially conceived following torrential rain in April 2000, which caused extensive damage to houses and businesses along the banks of the Water of Leith and Braid Burn.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
