PROGRESS is continuing on the £12 million Arbroath flood protection scheme with ‘significant’ operations set to commence.
The works, by Morrison Construction, will take place at St Vigeans and Brothock Meadows adding to the continuing presence at Hercules Den – where people will soon be able to see the first completed embankment on the flood storage area.
Work is also being progressed in the centre of Arbroath, notably near Lindsay Street where protective walls have been built along the Brothock Burn.
Angus Council said that independent licensed professionals will be carrying out wildlife surveys before work starts in each area of the scheme to ensure minimum disruption to local species. Bat surveys are scheduled to be carried out prior to the main works at St Vigeans getting underway and the project’s ecological clerk of works will continue to be ‘closely involved’ with the project to ensure all environmental requirements are fulfilled.
The local authority added that it is pleased that a University of Abertay student spent a successful three months on the project, allowing them to gain on the job experience as part of a required module for their degree.
Glenn Mitchell, site agent for Morrison Construction, said, “We are excited about our upcoming work and will continue to engage with residents and businesses to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by our construction activities.
“The team has made some great progress so far, and many people will have seen the dramatic change at the Hercules Den site. The engineering team has been busy conducting surveys of the land while the construction team has been hard at work on building the new flood embankment.
“It gives us all great satisfaction to know that the work we are doing will have a positive and long-lasting impact regards the protection of Arbroath and its people from future extreme weather events.”
Once completed, Angus Council said that the scheme is expected to provide a one in 200-year standard of protection. Construction is anticipated to take around 18-months to complete, weather and other circumstances permitting.