Councillors and local contractors convened in Roseburn Park this morning to mark the beginning of construction of the long-awaited multi-million pound Water of Leith flood protection scheme.

The scheme, which aims to protect local homes and businesses from flood damage, will see work done along 1.2km of the waterway at Murrayfield and Roseburn.

The protections 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.

Convener of Transport & Environment – Lesley Hinds
Convener of Transport & Environment – Lesley Hinds

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds attended the launch. Speaking about the project, she 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.”

The areas surrounding Murrayfield and Roseburn were some of the worst hit by the flooding in 2000.
As well as flood protections there are plans for the contractors to carry out some landscaping work to the area surrounding Roseburn Park.

Martin Curran, Contract Manager of McLaughlin and Harvey, who will be installing the flood protections said:

“We are delighted to be working alongside the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of this essential scheme. 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.”

Work has already begun and is scheduled for completion in early 2018.

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Reporter and Student Journalist at Edinburgh Napier University.