Flood protection project remains on track

Good progress continues to be made on the Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme works, according to the latest update from Argyll and Bute Council's roads and infrastructure services team.

 

The £15 million project sees a range of large-scale improvements being carried out across Campbeltown to minimise the risk of flooding which has been a significant problem over the years due to a variety of factors, including an out-of-date, undersized sewer system.

 

Specialist civil engineering and piling contractors DAWSON WAM and construction engineering company Aecom are carrying out the works, alongside local contractors.

 

The scheme, which is 80 per cent funded by the Scottish Government and 20 per cent funded by the council, is being rolled out over the next two years.

 

Drainage works in the Meadows area, where new pipelines and safe water storage ponds are being installed, are now complete, with roads around the area temporarily reinstated as the works progressed.

 

The full resurfacing of the whole width of the affected roads, including Smith Drive, Witchburn Road, Tomaig Road and Meadowburn Place, is expected to begin in the next four weeks.

 

The fields themselves will then be reinstated; preparations will be made for the soft landscaping works, which are likely to progress in the next planting season.

 

“Excellent progress” has reportedly been made in Burnside Square, under which a new new flood attenuation tank is being installed, with new pipelines in the adjoining roads. The storage tank has now been installed and the area has been backfilled.

 

“We are continuing to work on design options with our design consultants for the reinstatement of the square,” said a spokesperson. “This follows the public consultation which concluded in favour of a flexible space which could be used for events, and for parking when not in use for events.

 

“These designs are being finalised and should be available to share very soon.”

 

This part of the project remains on track to finish by summer.

 

"attachment_895930" "aligncenter" "225"] The new storage tank has now been installed under Burnside Square.

 

Associated drainage works on Dell Road are now 50 per cent complete, with the contractor working through short sections at a time, temporarily reinstating surfaces as work progresses to maximise available parking for residents.

 

Work to install a new culvert under the existing road at Dalaruan Street was expected to have begun by now but, following ground investigations, there are still some technical design aspects to be completed.

 

“This is a normal part of any major civil engineering project like this,” said the spokesperson. “Instead of progressing with construction works here, we have reorganised the works plan to progress the Millknowe element, ensuring no time is lost in the overall project.

 

“We will follow up with further information once the design aspects are worked through – this element of the project will have specific community engagement around it, including a pop-up information event.”

 

Work to create a safe water storage reservoir at Millknowe has started, with a number of trees felled near Snipefield Industrial Estate.

 

Work to install the piling platform – a machine that is used to construct the reservoir walls – began on Monday, with a view to the actual construction starting in mid-April.