Praise rains down!

Award for flood prevention project

The Braid Burn Flood Prevention Scheme has scooped a prestigious award for the Council.

The major engineering project protects properties along the line of the Braid Burn from flooding while enhancing the environment.

The scheme was commended in the Environmentally Sustainable Construction category at the 30th Anniversary Civil Engineering Awards 2011, presented by the Saltire Society and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

The 12 kilometres of the Braid Burn, from Redford Road in the south-west of the city to Portobello in the north, has always been prone to flooding.

The Council decided to seek a permanent solution after several million pounds worth of damage was caused to many homes and businesses following severe flooding in 2000.

The £43 million scheme, completed in August 2010, minimises flooding through the creation of flood walls, embankments and two storage reservoirs at Peffermill Playing Fields and Inch Park. These allow the swollen burn to overflow, safely holding the water within enclosed, strengthened walls until the level recedes.

City development manager Tom Dougall said: “By maximising the use of natural flood plains and creating two storage reservoirs, we are attempting to work with nature rather than against it. This will protect 900 properties including factories and residential homes which were so badly affected by the last major floods.”

The Council has also enhanced the environment along the length of the burn. Native species have been planted and attempts have been made to remove invasive species. Wildlife such as herons and trout has flourished and there is evidence that otters are once more living in the burn.

Paths have also been resurfaced and disabled ramps provided, attracting walkers and cyclists.

“The scheme, which could withstand a one-in-200-year scale flood, has already proved its worth during heavy summer rain, although there are still some drainage problems to be resolved,” added Tom.