(River & Pilmuir) Flood Alleviation Scheme Newsletter Issue 2 March 2013

A96 temporary diversion Introduction Construction of the scheme has now been underway for over 6 months. This newsletter provides an overview of some of the works completed to date and some of the activity due on site during this year .

Works completed or underway The temporary diversion of the A96 opened on 5 March 2013, a month ahead of schedule. The diversion provides an alternative route for vehicles, people and cyclists while works on the closed section of the A96 are carried out. These works include construction of new Upstream of Bend One vegetation clearance culverts and the new West Forres flood embankment. The A96 will be rebuilt so that it rises up over the embankment. Once completed, traffic will then start to use the new road and the temporary diversion will be removed. The 30mph speed restriction will remain in place until this is finished.

Another big element of the scheme has been the clearance of trees and vegetation, which has changed the appearance of the riverside quite dramatically. Vegetation has been cleared on three river bends to allow for the removal of material beneath, increasing the space available to water during high flows. Other clearance provides access to work areas allowing for the construction of the scheme. Pilmuir Pumping Station The construction of the Pilmuir Pumping Station has commenced with initial steelwork and concreting complete for two sections of the underground part of the building. Culvert construction at Pilmuir Road West is also underway and forms part of the Pilmuir drainage channel works.

Works are complete at the Back Run. This will improve the water conveyance capacity of this side channel. Material is now being excavated from Bend Three and will be used in the construction of the flood embankments. Forres (River Findhorn & Pilmuir) Flood Alleviation Scheme Newsletter Issue 2 March 2013

C7E southern junction Public Safety Construction areas are fenced off for public safety. In addition a number of pathways will be temporarily closed while works take place. Signs and notices will provide information and identify diversion routes where possible. Temporary gates separate construction vehicles from those using the affected pathways .

The Back Run will flow more regularly when the river levels are high. Signs have been put up to warn anglers and other users of this area of the increased risk of being cut off. Angling will be possible at some locations throughout the season.

Construction of southern access track Information Notice boards have been erected near the railway station, the Broom of Moy footbridge and on the A96 (opposite GT Tyres and MacLeans Bakery). These will be regularly updated with information about the scheme and any access restrictions.

Upcoming works in 2013 • Material will continue to be excavated from the three river bends, working from downstream to upstream, and then processed into fill material . • Work to raise the closed section of A96 will continue as will construction of the Pilmuir Pumping Station. • During the summer we will commence the extension to the existing Broom of Moy Material excavation on Bend Three footbridge.

Contact If you have any questions or concerns about the construction please contact us by writing to The Council, c/o Moray Flood Alleviation, 29 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW or call the site office on 01309 678950.