Controversial Whitesands flood scheme narrowly voted through
It had looked like the long-running saga would end with the plans for a flood defence scheme in the town being scrapped
The Whitesands flood protection scheme – which was dangerously close to being sunk – was rescued on Wednesday after an unexpected victory by opposition councillors.
The council’s Conservative administration attempted to ditch the project, having already cut it out of their budget plans earlier this year due to its rising costs.
A narrow vote in favour of the scheme
However, Lochar Labour Councillor made a strong case to save the Whitesands flood defence scheme at Wednesday’s full council meeting, which received the backing of several independent councillors and swung the vote 22-21 in her favour.
Ms Dorward said: “We’re now in a climate emergency. I appreciate that the Tories don’t share this perspective – as they have shifted goalposts here by some years.
“But the Labour Group are not prepared to do this when it comes to defending the town of Dumfries from flooding.
“It’s a matter of fact that the Scottish Government wrote to Dumfries and Galloway Council in March 2020 to advise them of the decision to confirm Whitesands’ flood protection scheme without modification and to grant deemed planning permission.
“They also clarified that the scheme will be 80 percent funded. But this funding is time-limited and to ensure it, we need to inform Scottish Government of a positive decision today.”
Now or never for flood defence scheme in the town
She continued: “Never again will we have such an opportunity to invest so much at one time in our town.
“We all know that, if we don’t progress this confirmed scheme, we will leave Dumfries without any flood protection for the foreseeable future.
“In essence, we use it or we lose it.”
The Whitesands is one of the most regularly flooded urban areas in Scotland, Ms Dorward argued. It has been reported that there have been 205 incidents since 1827 – the worst being last year on December 30.
Conservative Councillor Ivor Hyslop, who also represents the Lochar ward, said: “Last week the Audit Commission came out and said that the Scottish Government has insufficient funds to cover all of its capital programmes.
“We’ve seen numerous flood schemes across Scotland not just double in price, but one I think went 10 times the cost.
“There is no money to do this job, and I think later this year the Scottish Government will have to come to terms with this.”
Council leader "unconvinced" at prospect of funding
Council leader Gail Macgregor added that she wasn’t convinced either that the funding for the flood protection scheme would be made available by the Scottish Government in next year’s budget.
A report on the matter, tabled at the full council meeting, stated that the current estimated total project cost is £37m, which
is £12m above the current approved budget.
Provided that the Scottish Government confirm 80 percent ongoing funding support, the council would need to allocate the remaining 20 percent of the increase (£2.4m) within its capital investment strategy.