The Water of Leith Flood
Prevention Scheme was confirmed today by Environment Minister Ross
Finnie, despite the reporter of a 2004 public inquiry recommending that
the scheme not go ahead until Edinburgh Council had carried out further
investigation.
The scheme, which was initially
proposed by the Council in 2003 after more than 500 properties suffered
flood damage in April 2000, will adopt Scottish Rugby Union proposals
for Murrayfield Stadium so that the height of downstream flood defences
will be increased by an average of 3.5cm, going up by 8cm in one
location.
Announcing the scheme Finnie said: "Consideration of this scheme has
presented many complex challenges and we have looked very carefully at
all the representations. We now have a sustainable scheme which the
City of Edinburgh Council can take forward to construction.
"We are committed to supporting councils' efforts to reduce flood
risk to their vulnerable communities and we will provide grant support
for this Scheme to suit the Council's programme. People with homes and
businesses along the Water of Leith can now be re-assured that the
Flood Prevention Scheme will go ahead."
Scottish
Rugby welcomed the news – chief executive Gordon McKie said: “This is
excellent news not just for Scottish Rugby but for every local resident
who experienced the severe flooding in 2000. The damage to local
communities and our Stadium had serious consequences and everybody is
keen to ensure there is no repeat flooding in the future.”
“The Scottish Executive has
fully taken on board all the issues involved and accepted that our
specific proposal for the Murrayfield area simply increases the amount
of protection without raising costs. Although it has been a long wait
to get to this point, we are very pleased with the Environment
Minister’s decision today.”
“This means we are able to
protect not only our Stadium and international pitch but also our
essential back pitches which we are ring fencing for rugby training.”
“We are keen to work closely
with the City of Edinburgh Council now and do all we can to help
progress the scheme to construct or reinforce flood defences."
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