£20m flooding plan is debated

Eric Baxter • Published 19 May 2010 14:00

THE latest bid to solve Inverclyde's flooding problems was taking place this afternoon.

Councillors were meeting to hear a progress report on the flood action plan.

As previously reported, roads across Greenock and Port Glasgow are routinely blocked during heavy rains, and it is estimated it could cost up

to £20 million to stop the flooding.

As a result, councillors were today being asked to agree to spending an estimated £425,000 on making improvements to the West Station area and at five reservoirs above The Cut.

The safe, sustainable communities committee was also set to be asked to approve a proposal that the council establishes land ownership in an area known as the 'Eastern Line of Falls'.

Alan Barnes, head of environmental and commercial services, said this needed to be done 'as a matter of urgency'.

The council is also to open negotiations with Scottish Water over the amount of water discharged from its reservoirs at Whinhill and Overton B.

Other priority areas and estimated costs for tackling them include:

•Emergency cleaning and repairs at Eastern Line of Falls (£305,000).

•Lady Burn - divert the course of the Cragie Burn (£300,000).

•Cumberland Road - remedial work to drainage system (cost to be confirmed).

•A770/Battery Park - drainage realignment (£50,000).

•South Street/Newton Street culvert entrance drainage study (£10,000).

Mr Barnes said: "The prioritisation and costing of flood relief works have developed from the original study in March 2009."

The council's flood risk management working group includes representatives from SEPA, Scottish Water, Network Rail, Transport Scotland, Amey Highways, Strathclyde Police, Historic Scotland, Ardgowan Estates and Grontmij Consultants.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 19 May 10

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