APPROVAL has been granted by Stirling Council to procure a contract to design and build a £16 million flood defence scheme in Bridge of Allan.
The new infrastructure will protect 87 properties and 700 metres of road from flooding from the Allan Water, with flood defence walls upgraded along Allanvale Road, Cornton Road, and Fountain Road and flood defence bunds added at Inverallan Road and the adjacent factory site.
In total, £12 million of funding for the scheme will be provided by the Scottish Government as part of the national funding of flood scheme protections programme, with the remainder from Stirling Council.
Engagement and consultation has taken place on the proposals with the local community and other key stakeholders at drop-in sessions and via an online survey. Of the 24 formal objections received to the scheme, Stirling Council said 18 were invalid and the remaining six have been withdrawn following dialogue.
The new defence scheme is designed to protect against a flood which, statistically, occurs once every 50 years. Work is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026 and will last an estimated 18 months.
The current defences, constructed in the 1980s, are now reaching the end of their service life. As a result, some elements are in poor condition and no longer provide sufficient flood protection in the face of more frequent and intense flood events driven by climate change, the local authority said.
Stirling Council convener of the environment, transport, and net zero committee, councillor Jen Preston, said, “Delivering a new flood protection scheme for Bridge of Allan is a major priority as the existing infrastructure is not fit for purpose, especially with a changing climate and an increase in extreme weather events. Monday’s decision is a major milestone as it means we can start the process of appointing a specialist contractor to design and build the scheme and also ensures we keep to key project deadlines.
“The significant investment in the new defences will greatly reduce the flooding risks from the Allan Water to residents, businesses and other facilities on both banks of the river. Detailed planning work has gone into the new scheme and we have followed the alignment of the existing infrastructure as much as possible to minimise disruption to local communities.
“We have listened to the views of the local community as the proposals have been developed and further engagement with residents and businesses will take place before construction starts.”
