News
Flood Assessment Report
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Under the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997 the Local Authority is required to publish at 2-yearly intervals reports on the state of flood prevention in the city. The latest of these (The City of Edinburgh Council Flood Assessment Report November 2007) has now been published. Some extracts from the report concerning measures the CEC have taken since the date of publication of the previous report relevant to this area follow.
The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme was confirmed, with modifications, by the Scottish Ministers in March 2007. The modification ordered at Murrayfield is significantly different so as to require planning consent. It has also been found necessary to promote another flood scheme in the same area because of the medium pressure gas main here is much closer to the proposed defences than was previously advised. It is intended to invite tenders in the spring of 2008 from a shortlist of approved construction contractors with construction work programmed to commence in late 2008. The construction period for the scheme will be 3 years. The current estimated cost of the construction work is £35 million.
Transfer of reservoirs. The transfer of ownership of Harlaw, Threipmuir and Harperrig reservoirs from Scottish Water to the Council took place on 1 March 2007, approximately 11 months after the initial target date, due to delay in completing the sale agreements. This will allow the Council to control the reservoirs for flood prevention purposes and is compatible with the current flood prevention scheme. Bonaly reservoir is already owned by the Council as a public amenity in the Regional Park.
Since taking over the reservoirs an updated telemetry system has been installed giving improved internet access to reservoir levels as well as flow levels for the Water of Leith.
General. Several large fallen or damaged trees have been removed from various watercourses over the last two years. This includes the removal of debris accumulation from weirs and bridge piers, mainly in the Water of Leith. CCTV surveys on culverted watercourses throughout Edinburgh are ongoing and these have already established blockages and possible future works. Work on the clearance of invasive species of vegetation has also been undertaken prior to the flood prevention schemes being constructed.
Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme. The additional sewer capacity required at Donaldson’s College adjacent to Magdala Crescent is now complete and provides much needed storage that allows the reduction in compensation flow in the water of Leith.
Baird Drive. A temporary demountable flood barrier has been installed at Pansy Walk, a weak point in the existing flood defences at Riversdale.
Roseburn Cliff. Bank erosion protection has been constructed in the form of willow banking. This will reduce the risk of Channel blockage due to fallen trees or land slippage.
Riversdale Crescent. An additional 150 metres of pallet barrier have been purchased for emergency use, including aluminium sheeting to cut down on storage space.