A sculpture commemorating the lifeboat service has been unveiled as part of the £15.5 million Broughty Ferry flood protection scheme.
The public artwork, at Beach Crescent, takes the form of lifeboat davits, the arched cranes that hold emergency boats on larger ships, which create an archway which frame a view towards the life boat station.
As work on the flood protection scheme nears completion, the sculpture forms one of the final parts of the Scottish Government, SUSTRANS and Dundee City Council funded project.
Work started three years ago with the specification and design produced by Dundee City Council’s in-house structural and civil engineering teams and the works delivered by McLaughlin & Harvey as part of the Scape Group National Construction Major Works – UK framework.
The scheme is designed to reduce the risk of flooding to residential, open space, community and businesses within Broughty Ferry, as well as boost active travel.
The sculpture was designed in-house by Dundee City Council, fabricated locally by Metaltech and installed by McLaughlin & Harvey.
Seamus Devlin, McLaughlin & Harvey civil engineering director, said, “We are proud to attend this official opening of our flood protection works at Broughty Ferry. There has been a significant transformation to the local area and we have particularly enjoyed seeing members of the public enjoying the new walkway.”
On hand to help unveil the sculpture were Mark Flynn (convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee), Robin Smith MBE (former crew member of the lifeboat Mona), and Peter Hay (coxswain of the Broughty Ferry lifeboat).
Councillor Flynn said, “It is crucial that we not only ensure effectiveness and value for money when delivering flood protection for our coastal communities but also that any scheme is attractive and in keeping with the buildings and streetscape around it. The inclusion of relevant and engaging public art is part of that process and I am delighted to see the sculpture unveiled in its context today for the first time.”
Peter Hay added, “It’s great to see not just the practical side of the scheme, which allows us as a crew better access to the lifeboat station, but also to see the work of the lifeboat in the Ferry down the years commemorated in such an outstanding way.”
