Moray Flood Alleviation Schemes - Progress

ITEM: 6 (a)

PAGE: 1

REPORT TO: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON 15 JANUARY 2003

SUBJECT: MORAY FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEMES - PROGRESS

BY: DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

1. Reason for Report

1.1 To update members on the progress of Moray Flood Alleviation Schemes to date and review the financial implications. The report will also detail the programme for the next phase of the project.

2. Background

2.1 The Environmental Services Committee of 15 November 2000 (para 24 of minute refers) agreed to further reports being submitted on a regular basis to Environmental Services Committee updating progress, programme and approving expenditure.

2.2 The Environmental Services Committee of 4 September 2002 (para 9 of minute refers) was informed that the Scottish Executive approved the Council's proposal for additional expenditure of £100,000 for three additional flood alleviation schemes as follows:

a) Newmill – land drainage improvements to the north and west of the village to reduce the risk of flash flooding (£30,000).

b) Rothes Burn – renovation and improvement of the channel to improve the channel capacity and thereby reduce flood risk (£55,000).

c) Forres, Riverslea Drainage Improvements – Upgrading of inadequate drainage system that is in poor condition (£15,000). The works were ordered early owing to the school holidays and are complete.

Events of 15 – 17 November have led to a review of the situation in Rothes and Newmill.

2.3 The Environmental Services Committee of 27 November 2002 (item 2 of the agenda refers) considered a report on the Flooding incident of November 2002. Following consideration, the Committee agreed that the Moray Flood Alleviation Group should carry out the following work;

(a) a review of all project design criteria; ITEM: 6 (a)

PAGE: 2 (b) identification into whether any interim works could be carried out to provide additional flooding protection in advance of major schemes; (c) analysis into whether fast-tracking of the projects is possible to ensure submission of proposals to the Scottish Executive can be achieved as soon as practicable; (d) carry out a pre-feasibility study to evaluate whether Rothes could be introduced as a new flood alleviation project to be prepared for submission to the Scottish Executive; and, (e) estimation of the staffing and financial implications of all of these measures.

to allow further proposals to be reported back to this committee in the first instance.

2.4 The latest programme and expenditure proposals for 2002/03 were reported to the Environmental Services Committee of 27 November 2002 (item 2 of agenda refers). Following consideration the Committee agreed: -

(i) to note the progress to date and the proposals for this financial year; and,

(ii) to note the expenditure to date and the review of the requirement for funding.

2.5 The Environmental Services Committee of 27 November 2002 (item 2 of agenda refers) was informed that the Preliminary Project Feasibility Study to establish whether there is an outline economic case for a scheme for the burn of Rathven in Buckie was on-going but inconclusive. An undertaking was given to report the recommendations to the Environmental Services Committee on 15 January 2003.

3.0 Progress of Minor Flood Alleviation Schemes

3.1 Buckie Flood prevention (Burn of Rathven) - Members should be reminded that flooding in this area comes from two sources, namely the Rathven Burn and road surface water flooding during extreme events. These two sources of flooding do not always occur simultaneously. The Preliminary Project Feasibility Study for the Rathven Burn has concluded that a Flood Prevention Scheme cannot be economically justified for Scottish Executive funding as the system currently exists. It is understood that the eligibility criteria may be changing in the near future. The committee can therefore consider whether a Capital bid would be worked up for further consideration to allow works to progress as soon as possible from Council funds, or delayed until the future of funding regimes are more clearly defined and a formal flood prevention scheme is promoted. Surface water flooding is a more regular occurrence, but the consequences have been reduced by minor works carried out in conjunction with NoSWA (now Scottish Water).

3.2 Flood Prevention Works at Fogwatt - The programme for the project has been brought forward to commence work on 13 January 2003. This is subject to completion of the replacement of Rothes Green Bridge by 15 January 2003 as the road at Fogwatt is being used for diversion of traffic. The works should be completed by the end of March 2003. ITEM: 6 (a)

PAGE: 3 3.3 Newmill Flood Prevention Works - A site meeting was held following the flooding of November 2002 and it was evident that further work was required in Newmill between Hill Street and the playing fields. Also, the original proposals will require land acquisition and cannot be completed this financial year. The following is therefore proposed:

(a) improvements to the drainage between Hill Street and the Playing Fields;

(b) instigation of land acquisition and design the remaining works to the west of Sand Lane; and

(c) a further bid for capital funding will be made in the next review of the plan to construct the remaining works to the west of Sand Lane.

4.0 Rothes Flood Alleviation Scheme

4.1 A Preliminary Project Feasibility Study (PPFS) has estimated that damages for the recent flood event are of the order of £2.0 million. Since 1997 Rothes has experienced three flood events, which indicates that there are substantial economic benefits to be derived from a flood alleviation scheme. Based on this there is a case to recommend that further work in the form of a Feasibility Study should be undertaken to determine the extent and nature of flood alleviation works for Rothes.

4.2 The work would consist of hydraulic modelling, ground investigation, topographic surveys, environmental assessment and assessment of scheme economics. A bid for capital funding will be made in the next review of the plan.

4.3 Repair work underway on the Rothes Burn is estimated to cost in the order of £142,000 and forms part of the Council’s £1.774m claim for additional capital consent to the Scottish Executive for infrastructure repair works caused by flooding. These works include and extend the amount of the bank reinstatement and gabion basket repairs, which were to be carried out as part of the programme of additional revenue funds approved by the Moray Council on 17 July 2002.

4.4 Proposals for short term works were received from Rothes community representatives, and these have been considered by the Moray Flood Alleviation Group. Their findings are that these proposals for ditching and culverting above Rothes would form part of a formal Flood prevention Scheme which could be promoted for Rothes, and hopefully attract additional funding from the Scottish Executive. The proposal to improve drainage and outfall works in the fields between Rothes and Rothes Filling station is considered to be of merit now, and subject to successful land negotiations, could be constructed from the balance of the original £55,000 allocated to the programme of additional revenue funds approved for Rothes on 17 July 2002.

5.0 Moray Flood Alleviation Schemes – Progress and Proposals

5.1 Presentations Following the flooding in November 2002, presentations have been made to the following: ITEM: 6 (a)

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· Environmental Services Committee · Central Management Team Members · Alan Wilson MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development · Angus Robertson MP · Margaret Ewing MSP · Elgin Chamber of Commerce and Trade Union Council · Joint Community Councils

Further presentations and open days are planned as follows:

· Elgin - Presentation to a large invited audience of interested parties in Elgin Town Hall on Monday 27 January 2003. · Lhanbryde - public consultation open day on 29 Wednesday January 2003 · Forres – Stakeholder workshop (by invitation) on Monday 3 February 2003 · Forres – Public open day to consult on option appraisal on Thursday 27 February 2003 · Findhorn and Kinloss Community Council – Presentation at the invitation of the Community Council · Rothes Council– Presentation at the invitation of the Council

A public open day is currently planned for spring 2003 to consult on the preferred option(s) for Elgin Flood Alleviation Scheme.

In addition an eight page supplement was prepared and published in “The Northern Scot” and a running presentation is to be situated for public information in Elgin Library later in January 2003.

5.2 Contractor Procurement

Following completion of Stage II of the contractor procurement process involving assessment of suitability and quality issues, the following contractors have been shortlisted to tender for Moray Floods Alleviation Schemes:

Balfour Beatty Ltd Byzak Ltd Edmund Nuttall Ltd MJ Gleeson/Dawson-Wam Morrison Construction Plc

They will be invited to participate in the final tender stage, which will commence in February 2003. A recommendation on contract award will be put to Committee in June 2003. The procurement process is on target according to the programme and will not affect the progress of any of the schemes.

5.3 Moray Flood Alleviation Schemes – General Proposals

Review of all project design criteria – Ongoing and a details will be presented to this Committee at the meeting of 12 February 2002. ITEM: 6 (a)

PAGE: 5 Identification of interim works that could be carried out to provide additional flood protection in advance of major schemes – Some advance works have been identified in Forres and the works are in progress. Other advance works will be investigated and carried out where appropriate. There is a need to ensure that there are no adverse knock-on effects caused by these works.

Analysis into whether fast-tracking of the projects is possible to ensure submission of proposals to the Scottish Executive can be achieved as soon as practicable – This has been investigated and, where possible, works are being brought forward to minimise the risk of future delays. The programme is already tight as investigation and design still places constraints on the programme along with lengthy statutory procedures.

Estimation of the staffing and financial implications of all of these measures – Ongoing and the restructuring proposals will be put to this Committee at the meeting of 12 February 2002. In the meantime, the team has been bolstered by five experienced engineers in Peterborough and a further engineer in Elgin for the next three months.

5.4 Lhanbryde Flood Alleviation Scheme

A brief update of progress is described below

· Draft Flood Prevention Order nearing completion and will be discussed at a consultative meeting with the Scottish Executive on 21 January 2003 · Additional ground investigation work progressing. · Environmental Statement is in progress. · Preparation of works information for tender commenced. · Detailed Design commenced.

Work for the remainder of financial year will include but not be limited to the following elements of work:

· Flood Prevention Order (to be issued in February 2002) and other approvals (part). · Public display to present the preferred option (29 January 2003 at Lhanbryde Community Centre). · Completion of preparation of works information for tender. · Completion of Environmental Statement. · Completion of additional ground investigation work. · Completion of detailed design.

5.5 Elgin Flood Alleviation Scheme

A brief update of progress is described below ITEM: 6 (a)

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· Option development and appraisal well underway and initial findings imminent. · Environmental baseline scoping and appraisal has commenced.

Work for the remainder of financial year will include but not be limited to the following elements of work:

· Completion of option development and appraisal. · Completion of environmental baseline scoping and appraisal. · Feasibility Study. · Ecological studies. · Ground investigation desk study and commencement of site work. · Design Stage I (part). · Follow up to Value Management Workshop. · Meeting with stakeholders (27 January 2003 at Elgin Town Hall).

5.6 Forres Flood Alleviation Scheme

A brief update of progress is described below

· Burn of Mosset hydraulic modelling, flood risk mapping commenced. · Scoping of options commenced.

Work for the remainder of financial year will include but not be limited to the following elements of work:

· Completion of Burn of Mosset hydraulic modelling, flood risk mapping. · Completion of scoping of options. · River Findhorn hydrology and hydraulic modelling. · Environmental baseline scoping and appraisal. · Ground Investigation desk study. · Feasibility Study (part). · Ecological studies. · Stakeholder (Value Management) Workshop at Forres Community Centre. · Public display to present the options being considered (27 February 2003 at Forres Community Centre).

6. Financial Implications ITEM: 6 (a)

PAGE: 7 6.1 Details of expenditure (to 20 December 2002) and forecast in the current financial year are as follows:

Additional Flood Prevention Schemes Description Approved Expenditure Further Projected to date Expenditure Expenditure £ £ £ £ Newmill 30,000 551 29,449 30,000 Rothes (PPFS) 5,000 6,600 11,600 55,000 Rothes – short-term measures 267 36,907 37,174 Forres, Riverslea 15,000 21,226 0 21,226 TOTALS 100,000 27,044 72,956 100,000

Minor Flood Alleviation Schemes Description Approved Expenditure Further Projected to date Expenditure Expenditure £ £ £ £ Buckie (PPFS) 10,000 10,000 0 10,000 Fogwatt 72,000 4,082 67,918 72,000 TOTALS 82,000 14,082 67,918 82,000

Moray Flood Alleviation Schemes Description Approved Expenditure Further Projected to date Expenditure Expenditure £ £ £ £ Lhanbryde, Fogwatt, Longmorn 210,000 141,138 66,862 210,000 Elgin 410,000 159,767 250,233 410,000 Forres 250,000 121,235 128,765 250,000 TOTALS 870,000 422,140 445,860 870,000

5. Staffing Environmental Implications

5.1 There are no staffing or environmental implications arising directly from this report.

6. Sustainable Development Implications

6.1 In accordance with the "Sustainable Development Checklist" this progress report is "exempt".

6.2 The flooding event of November 2002 has caused considerable damage to roads and watercourses and these works are now being progressed as quickly as possible, with many already complete. The £1.774m figure for additional Capital consent provided to the Scottish Executive for these and other projects had to be based on an early assessment of damage, which can now be firmed up as accounts for completed works are agreed. Some additional work is also identified from the results of surveys carried out after flood levels have receded and identified further repairs being necessary. When all costs are available, these will be reported to Committee.

7. Corporate Plan ITEM: 6 (a)

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7.1 The proposal complies with the Environmental Programme of the Council's Corporate Plan. The aims and priorities to which the proposal relates are:

Issues · alleviation of flooding · the importance of a high standard of natural and built environment to the quality of life of residents and visitors

Strategic Issues · provide a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme for Moray · maintain a safe, clean, pleasant and sustainable environment

Achievements to Date · additional finance for flood alleviation

Plan for the future · implement the Moray Flood Alleviation Scheme · conserve and enhance the natural and built environments through Council policies and actions, and in partnership with other bodies

8. Consultations

8.1 Margaret Wilson, Head of Financial Services, has been consulted and concurs with the financial implications detailed in this report.

9. Recommendations

9.1 It is recommended that the Committee

(a) notes the progress to date and the proposals for this financial year;

(b) notes the expenditure to date and the review of the requirement for funding;

(d) considers the option for Rothes, identified in section 4.4 above

Author of Report: Peter A Haslam, Project Sponsor, Moray Flood Alleviation Group Background Papers: Ref: PAH/PA/R/4/6/12