Cart plan carries protection hope

24 May 2006

Detailed design of a £50M flood scheme in south Glasgow is about to get under way, following the award of funding by the Scottish Executive.
The project, said to be biggest currently in progress in Scotland, will reduce the flooding risk to 1,750 homes and businesses along a 10km stretch of the White Cart river in the city’s southeastern suburbs.
It involves the construction of three floodwater storage areas and 8.2km of low wall along the banks of the river within the city. The council has bought land to create a wetland and two more habitats are planned.
A shallow, fast-flowing river, the White Cart is prone to flash flooding, and 12 hours’ rainfall can trigger a rise of 6m.
‘There have been more than 20 serious floods along the White Cart in the last century, many of these caused by relatively minor storms,’ said local councillor, Archie Graham At least 500 homes were inundated in 1984, when the river twice burst its banks.
The scheme is designed to protect property from a one-in-200-year event, taking account of the likely impact of climate change.
It has planning approval from the city, East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire councils. Following negotiations, seven objectors withdrew, avoiding a public inquiry. Last week, deputy environment minister, Rhona Brankin, confirmed an 80% grant under the 1961 Flood Prevention Act, praising the council’s ‘holistic catchment approach’ and efforts to increase biodiversity and minimise visual impact for residents.
Works are due to begin in 12 months’ time and take two to three years. But construction could start sooner, if the council let a separate contract for the attenuation areas, said project manager Sandy Gillon This would also protect the works downstream.
Consultant Halcrow has proposed embankments across the river and its two tributaries, the Earn and Killoch. Normal flows up to and including a one-in-two storm will be unimpeded, but the dams will divert higher volumes for storage on farmland already prone to some flooding.
A total of 9ha has been earmarked for wetlands ‘to offset the environmental impact of the works,’ said Gillon. Without the upstream storage, the new floodwalls would be up to 3m high instead of 1.2m, reducing the river’s amenity value.
‘The Cart is a very important green corridor through the city,’ he said. Landscaping will replace any greenery damaged by the works.

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

Sign In

Cart plan carries protection hope

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login