Cumbrae flood protection schemes in full swing

Work at three multi-million pound flood protection schemes in North Ayrshire is on track as part of preparations to lessen the impact of climate change.

Construction works on the £48 million Millport Flood Protection Scheme, on the Isle of Cumbrae, started last spring and work is progressing well to build an offshore breakwater, which will create a calm area of water.

This part of the works is essential to allow a proposed marina – which is an Ayrshire Growth Deal project – to be constructed in the future.

Work also started last summer to create revetments– slopes that absorb wave energy to help reduce coastal erosion at Kelburn Street, Millburn Street and Clyde Street on Cumbrae. Installation of onshore flood walls is also ongoing.

The Millburn Flood Alleviation Scheme, also in Millport, is to be tendered in 2024 and will be constructed in 2025.

These projects follow on from the successful completion of the Upper Garnock Valley Flood Protection Scheme, which has seen the creation of a flood storage dam. This will retain water during periods of high flow to reduce flood risk downstream while leaving the river’s flow unaffected at other times.

This scheme included works in Kilbirnie, Glengarnock, Dalry and is now complete, with only minor remedial and landscaping works still to be done, and these are scheduled for spring. It was delivered by contractor McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd on behalf of North Ayrshire Council and The Scottish Government.

The main contractor for the flood protection work in Millport is Van Oord Ltd, with support from subsidiary Mackley Civil Engineering.

This project is being managed on behalf of the Council by global professional services business, Turner & Townsend, with support from the Principal Designer Royal HaskoningDHV.