Funding has been awarded for the Almondbank Flood Protection Scheme in Perth and Kinross.

The Scottish Government has said it will contribute more than £11.6m towards the total cost of £14.7m project. It is understood the Council has made provision for the remainder of the capital funding through its five-year Capital Plan.

Both the Almondbank and Lochty areas have experienced severe flooding in the past. In order to try and tackle the issue, the local authority, in conjunction with consultants Mouchel, have designed a scheme to reduce the risk of flooding to the affected area. The project will consist of a number of flood defences located along the River Almond and the East Pow Burn.

They will include flood walls, raised embankments and erosion protection measures, while two road bridges along the East Pow Burn are to be replaced and raised with an existing footbridge on the River Almond also being moved and raised. In addition, an existing playing field in the town is to be modified to act as a flood storage area. This will also involve the replacement of the community sports pavilion. Further drainage measures, alterations to road drainage systems and a surface water pumping station on the Vector Aerospace site will be carried out as well.

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Following confirmation of funding, a detailed design and procurement process can now start. It is thought the construction phase will begin in late 2014 with a scheduled completion date of late 2016.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Alan Grant, Convener of the Council's Environment Committee, said: "We would like to thank the Scottish Government for this award of funding; we are now in a position where we can protect our residents and community in Almondbank and Lochty against future flooding events.

"We have all seen media reports showing the damage that flooding can do to homes, property and infrastructure. With the funding in place we can offer greater assurance and peace of mind that there will be protection in place should we be faced with severe weather once the scheme is complete."

Paul Wheelhouse, Environment and Climate Change Minister, added: "I am delighted to confirm £11.7m of funding has been agreed by Scottish Government and COSLA for an eligible new flood protection scheme for Almondbank, allowing Perth and Kinross Council to begin the work to bring this scheme to fruition."

(JP/MH)