WORK has been completed on a £48 million flood protection scheme on the Isle of Cumbrae.
Main contractor Van Oord UK, with support from Mackley Civil Engineering, first began work on the Millport Flood Protection Scheme in spring 2023 on behalf of North Ayrshire Council.
Throughout the works, more than 950 precast units were placed along the coastline to form the backbone of the flood defence system; 1,720 cubic meters of concrete were used to help create the foundations for units that will protect the town; and 142,000 tonnes of rock were used to create the breakwaters that minimise the wave energy that can reach the sea walls around the shores of Millport Bay.
Offshore works that formed part of the project included the installation of a rock armour breakwater, which has created a calm area of water. This was essential to allow a proposed marina to be constructed in the future. Further to this, a concrete revetments was also created, which slopes to absorb wave energy to help reduce coastal erosion.
Onshore works around Glasgow Street have included wall repairs and painting; jetty repairs – including the jetty near the famous Crocodile Rock; the creation of concrete walls and revetments; and benches being put in place.
Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, said, “Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of flooding across Scotland, so it is fantastic to see that Millport Flood Protection Scheme has been completed – on time – with just some minor snagging and landscaping still to be done. I would like to congratulate our neighbourhood services team for delivering the project on time in October, and to a high standard, in partnership with our main contractors.”
Joris Jipping, project manager at Van Oord, added, “I am proud to have led the project team which delivered the critical coastal projection works at Millport. We worked closely with North Ayrshire Council, the local community and other stakeholders to ensure successful completion of the project. It was a fantastic project to be a part of.”
Ben Hamer, MD at Mackley Civil Engineering, stated, “Mackley was delighted to be given the opportunity, together with Van Oord and North Ayrshire Council, in the delivery of coastal protection works along the approximately 2-kilometre-long Millport seafront. The new scheme will last for decades and offers much-needed protection for the homes and businesses of Millport. The scheme provides much more than flood risk reduction and has created an enhanced social space for the main town.”
This project was managed on behalf of the council by Turner & Townsend, with support from the principal designer Royal Haskoning DHV.
