The second phase of a multi-million pound flood prevention scheme has been given the go-ahead following a funding agreement.
The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WoLFPS) is a key infrastructure project to help protect hundreds of properties in vulnerable areas of the city from future flooding.
Following the completion of the first phase, which included defences at Veitches Square, Stockbridge Colonies, Warriston, St Mark’s Park and Bonnington, overall costs for a reconfigured Phase 2 at Murrayfield/Roseburn were estimated at £25.241m.
However, the available capital budget for this second phase stood at £20.539m, leaving a shortfall of £4.702m and jeopardising the delivery of this next stage of the WoLFPS.
The City of Edinburgh Council has now agreed to fund this shortfall through a realignment and transfer of existing Services for Communities capital budgets, meaning that the formal procurement process can now get under way, with flood prevention works starting in the Roseburn and Murrayfield area in autumn 2015.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can now proceed with the next stage of this hugely important project, which will safeguard hundreds of properties from flooding in the future. We’ve been working extremely closely with the community and key stakeholders to make sure they were fully involved in the plans from the outset and with reinforced governance and protocols in place, we’re confident that Phase 2 will be delivered efficiently and at best value to the taxpayer.”
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