Phase two of New Cumnock scheme underway

Phase two of the New Cumnock Flood Protection Scheme is well underway, East Ayrshire Council informs.

The 18-month project, which started in April, will protect residential and commercial properties near the Afton Water and River Nith through a combination of engineering measures including 900m of earth embankments, 1200m of reinforced concrete walls and 600m of riverbank strengthening.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Roads and Transport and Community Cohesion was joined onsite by local elected members, Councillors Billy Crawford, Jacqui Todd and Walter Young to view progress.

“Work is now well underway on phase two of New Cumnock’s £8.2m flood protection scheme and I was very pleased to be joined at the site of the works by my fellow local elected members for Ward 8, Cumnock and New Cumnock,” McMahon said.

Phase two, due to the extensive and complex nature of the work, has been split into six work areas.

Work area one is upstream of the A76 Afton Bridge and steel fixing and shuttering is currently being installed for the bases of the new walls behind the houses at Mason Avenue.

It is anticipated that the earthwork embankments will start shortly, the council said.