Construction is now under way on phase two of the multi-million pound Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WoLFPS).
Contractors McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd are already on site along the river bank and in Roseburn Park and have begun work on 1.2km of flood defences, to be built along the Water of Leith at Murrayfield and Roseburn.
This will include the erection of new walls, embankments and floodgates beside the waterway, as well as two bridges over the river at Baird Drive and Saughtonhall Avenue.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, was joined by Martin Curran, McL&H Contracts Manager, to mark the beginning of the WoLFPS construction works in Roseburn Park today.
Cllr Hinds said: “We have been working closely with the community and local stakeholders to ensure they are well aware of the work taking place, and to ensure the process goes smoothly.
“It’s been great to visit the site to see construction begin, and I look forward to all the benefits these improvements will bring to the area.”
Martin Curran, Contract Manager, McLaughlin and Harvey, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of this essential scheme. Having recently undergone a period of detailed design we are glad to say that the main construction works have begun in various locations throughout the project.
“We are making excellent progress to date which has been aided by the cooperation of the stakeholder groups, local residents and the general public at large. Stakeholder management is fundamental for the project, we are actively engaging with the local residents and business on a daily basis keeping them up to date with our work activities.
“We hope to achieve successful delivery of this project over the coming months with as minimal disruption as possible to the local residents and businesses. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local residents for their continued support.”
Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2018, the defences will protect local homes and businesses against flooding.
Roseburn and Murrayfield were some of the worst-hit areas during severe floods in 2000.
As part of the development, contractors will also carry out landscaping to improve the appearance of the surrounding area, including the adjacent Roseburn Park.
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, funding was approved for the second phase in September 2014.
Find out more about the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme on the city council’s website.
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